specialist team for tax credits renewal (merged)

whyalwaysme_3

this has to be investagation, i phoned renew on mainline then after reading post on hear i rang SPR thought eveything ok, now today got letter need to send in loads of things,by 9th August so not sure what will happen to payments i need this money, tax credits should own up now and say this is an investagation line it's not fair to put people through this strain, is there not enough for us to go through, by the way i was investagated last year so why again they found nothing then,so why do they think they will this time what a time wasting exercise.

yummymummy2010

I called the specialist number yesterday although I had not received a letter but had got the number from here. To be honest,she wasn't particularly pleasant but went through it with me anyway. I was asked a lot more questions than usual (but that shouldn't be a problem as none of my circumstances have changed) and,at the end,said that she would "try" to process my claim and that I should call the main TC helpline on monday so see if it had been finalised. I wonder just how much information they have in front of them as she asked me if my daughter was still at school but as she is only 13 I would have thought that would be obvious and I only have 1 child. Monday cannot come quick enough now so that I can find out if it has been finalised or do I have more phone calls in front of me. It seems to be a total shambles this year and it has given so many people (including myself) a lot of worry and sleepless nights.

nottslass_2

whyalwaysme wrote: »

this has to be investagation, i phoned renew on mainline then after reading post on hear i rang SPR thought eveything ok, now today got letter need to send in loads of things,by 9th August so not sure what will happen to payments i need this money, tax credits should own up now and say this is an investagation line it's not fair to put people through this strain, is there not enough for us to go through, by the way i was investagated last year so why again they found nothing then,so why do they think they will this time what a time wasting exercise.

Rubbish - The specialist line doesn't ask for any more details than the normal renewal line.

If you end up being investigated its because there are inconsistencies with your claim and it would happen regardless of how you renewed.

If the TCO wanted to investigate you I'm sure you'd know about it - they'd want copies of everything,from credit card statements,birth certificates,rent books,bills ,marriage cert etc !

There have been several posts on this thread scaring vunerable people by suggesting they are being investigated - IF the TCO were investigating you they would tell you.They have absolutely no need /reason to "go under cover."

whyalwaysme_3

nottslass wrote: »

Rubbish - The specialist line doesn't ask for any more details than the normal renewal line.

If you end up being investigated its because there are inconsistencies with your claim and it would happen regardless of how you renewed.

If the TCO wanted to investigate you I'm sure you'd know about it - they'd want copies of everything,from credit card statements,birth certificates,rent books,bills ,marriage cert etc !

There have been several posts on this thread scaring vunerable people by suggesting they are being investigated - IF the TCO were investigating you they would tell you.They have absolutely no need /reason to "go under cover."

i never said they ask more question, and there is no inconsistencies with my claim, i have always been honest and i feel that there was no need for all they have asked for, and because they have asked for some of the following,birth certificates,ect i guess it is an investagation would'nt you

nottslass_2

whyalwaysme wrote: »

i never said they ask more question, and there is no inconsistencies with my claim, i have always been honest and i feel that there was no need for all they have asked for, and because they have asked for some of the following,birth certificates,ect i guess it is an investagation would'nt you

What reason did they give for requesting the extra info ?

TaxCreditHelp

wingobins wrote: »

I contacted tax credits earlier on normal helpline number to do my renewal over the phone & also to inform of a change in circumstances. I must have got straight through to the specialist team who really grilled me about lots of info that I am not normally asked and when I asked why all the questions I was told its a new security system in place, but I too felt like I was on trial. He talked so fast I could barely understand him either. I will just have to wait and see if I get a letter in. So beware if you are just phoning the helpline to renew over phone, you may get grilled.

Caling the main Tax Credit Helpline (0845 300 3900) does not connect with the Specialist Renewals Team. The process you described is nothing to do with this process, and I suspect it simply is a result of enhanced security measures.

TaxCreditHelp

Telfordstar wrote: »

I had to renew via the specialist team this year and in doing so i renewed and then ended my single claim to start a joint claim with my new partner who moved in. All was fine i recieved my end of claim letter. According to HMRC a new pack was sent out on 25th may 2010, I phoned a few times to be told they would issue another after 10 working days after the 25th, with still no sign of the pack i called again and another was issued for which i am patiently waiting!

Has anyone else had this problem?

The claim packs are issued as Second Class mail, and the post room is extrememly busy at the moment as a result of the peak renewals period.

If you haven't received anything by Friday I would call them back and enquire about your new claim pack.

I know it's no consolation if you are beginning to experience any kind of hardship as a result of this delay, but your new claim will be backdated up to a maximum of 93 days from when the Tax Credit Office receives your new pack.

TaxCreditHelp

whyalwaysme wrote: »

this has to be investagation, i phoned renew on mainline then after reading post on hear i rang SPR thought eveything ok, now today got letter need to send in loads of things,by 9th August so not sure what will happen to payments i need this money, tax credits should own up now and say this is an investagation line it's not fair to put people through this strain, is there not enough for us to go through, by the way i was investagated last year so why again they found nothing then,so why do they think they will this time what a time wasting exercise.

The Specialist Renewals process honestly, 100% isn't an investigation. If you receive a letter asking for further details it will be because there are inconsistencies between your renewal and the details held on the Tax Credit system which have been unable to be verified using the other systems at HMRC's disposal. For example, income below the minimum wage, a child which the Child Benefit system does not show you as a responsible for, Social Security benefit inconsistencies, etc, etc.

TaxCreditHelp

yummymummy2010 wrote: »

I called the specialist number yesterday although I had not received a letter but had got the number from here. To be honest,she wasn't particularly pleasant but went through it with me anyway. I was asked a lot more questions than usual (but that shouldn't be a problem as none of my circumstances have changed) and,at the end,said that she would "try" to process my claim and that I should call the main TC helpline on monday so see if it had been finalised. I wonder just how much information they have in front of them as she asked me if my daughter was still at school but as she is only 13 I would have thought that would be obvious and I only have 1 child. Monday cannot come quick enough now so that I can find out if it has been finalised or do I have more phone calls in front of me. It seems to be a total shambles this year and it has given so many people (including myself) a lot of worry and sleepless nights.

Both the main Tax Credit Helpline and the Specialist Renewals Team have full access to the National Tax Credit system and can verify all details on an award. The Specialist Renewals team will ask you to verify the information held on system is correct and that is best acheived by asking questions which are a little vague, so as not to reveal or hint at any specific circumstances. Also, as there are so many calls being received at the moment the adviser could well be forgiven for being on 'auto-pilot' and asking the same questions to successive callers.

Telfordstar

TaxCreditHelp wrote: »

The claim packs are issued as Second Class mail, and the post room is extrememly busy at the moment as a result of the peak renewals period.

If you haven't received anything by Friday I would call them back and enquire about your new claim pack.

I know it's no consolation if you are beginning to experience any kind of hardship as a result of this delay, but your new claim will be backdated up to a maximum of 93 days from when the Tax Credit Office receives your new pack.

Thanks taxcredithelp for info I will definatly do that. It's certinly tightened the belt a bit right now that's for sure.