specialist team for tax credits renewal (merged)

Molly41

Whereas I know of a woman (on income support), new partner, 10 kids (some with disabilities), pregnant and son leaving school who was not asked to renew via specialist team. Now I cant understand how she was not asked as her claim is WAY over 8500 and VERY complicated!!

pugsley29

Got my final award through but no extra payment in the bank, first year that there has been no extra payment, but anyway at least it is all done this year, hope next year they are more organised.

newmummy123_2

Molly41 wrote: »

Whereas I know of a woman (on income support), new partner, 10 kids (some with disabilities), pregnant and son leaving school who was not asked to renew via specialist team. Now I cant understand how she was not asked as her claim is WAY over 8500 and VERY complicated!!

Yes it does sound a bit strange. I may be wrong but I think if they think there is a discrepancy in what you are telling them or they have reason to believe something is not quite right then you are being referred to specialist.
Why else would I be asked for council tax bill and mortgage statement/rental agreement. This sounds to me like they want proof of residence. Well they shall get proof of residence.
I imagine we are going to go through this every year now. I know there are people who deliberately commit fraud but what about us law abiding people. Do we have to suffer this every time???

Telfordstar

newmummy123 wrote: »

Yes it does sound a bit strange. I may be wrong but I think if they think there is a discrepancy in what you are telling them or they have reason to believe something is not quite right then you are being referred to specialist.
Why else would I be asked for council tax bill and mortgage statement/rental agreement. This sounds to me like they want proof of residence. Well they shall get proof of residence.
I imagine we are going to go through this every year now. I know there are people who deliberately commit fraud but what about us law abiding people. Do we have to suffer this every time???

Is this the case tax credit help?

TaxCreditHelp

newmummy123 wrote: »

Yes it does sound a bit strange. I may be wrong but I think if they think there is a discrepancy in what you are telling them or they have reason to believe something is not quite right then you are being referred to specialist.
Why else would I be asked for council tax bill and mortgage statement/rental agreement. This sounds to me like they want proof of residence. Well they shall get proof of residence.
I imagine we are going to go through this every year now. I know there are people who deliberately commit fraud but what about us law abiding people. Do we have to suffer this every time???

I can confirm with certainty that the people who have been asked to complete the Specialist Renewals process have not been selected because they have a discrepancy with their award... they are those Tax Credit customers who have a TOTAL Tax Credit award of over £8500, or have had such at any point during 2009/2010, or who have the Adult Disabiliy Element of Tax Credits.

There may be some who aren't aware they have been selected to renew through the Specialist Renewals team, but it is more likely that they have simply not received the letter informing them of this, for one reason or another.

I can't say with any authority if the Specialist Renewals process will be carried out every year but a similar project was carried out last year with a much smaller group of customers, so it could well be that this year is a step up from that. This is a learning curver for all concerned, HMRC and Tax Credit customers alike, and Tax Credit Office do learn from their mistakes. Already plans are underway (if the exercise is going to continue next year) to include the Specialist Renewals Team letters with the relevant Renewal packs at point of issue.

Also, if the Specialist Renewals process does go ahead next year, there is nothing to say that those who have been asked to complete it this year would also be asked next year.

Hope this helps.

Molly41

Why those customers who have the adult disability element Tax Credit Help?

helenj36

taxcredithelp

to get the disability element of working tax credit does the person who is disabled and on a qualifying benefit have to be working.or are they still entilted to it if the partner works over 30 hours and the person with the qualifying benefit doesnt

newmummy123_2

TaxCreditHelp wrote: »

I can confirm with certainty that the people who have been asked to complete the Specialist Renewals process have not been selected because they have a discrepancy with their award... they are those Tax Credit customers who have a TOTAL Tax Credit award of over £8500, or have had such at any point during 2009/2010, or who have the Adult Disabiliy Element of Tax Credits.

There may be some who aren't aware they have been selected to renew through the Specialist Renewals team, but it is more likely that they have simply not received the letter informing them of this, for one reason or another.

I can't say with any authority if the Specialist Renewals process will be carried out every year but a similar project was carried out last year with a much smaller group of customers, so it could well be that this year is a step up from that. This is a learning curver for all concerned, HMRC and Tax Credit customers alike, and Tax Credit Office do learn from their mistakes. Already plans are underway (if the exercise is going to continue next year) to include the Specialist Renewals Team letters with the relevant Renewal packs at point of issue.

Also, if the Specialist Renewals process does go ahead next year, there is nothing to say that those who have been asked to complete it this year would also be asked next year.

Hope this helps.

Thank you taxcredithelp.

I was under the impression that tax credits wanted proof of residence for myself as they asked for a rental agreement and council tax bill. I can provide these without a problem but I wonder why they want these?? Is this to confirm that I am living where I say I am. I moved into my current property in Jan 09 and it is a private rented accomodation.
There have been a few tenants before me and i still get mail to this day for previous. Could this be something to do with why they want proof that I live here? I am also on electoral roll. Ive even had debt collectors at door for previous tenants.

Also, i shall refer back to my friend who has also been referred to specialist team. She has one 12 year old child. Is not disabled in any way and only works 16 hrs with no child care. She has never had any award over £8500. That is why i thought it was a bit strange when you said it was only people over this amount because I can confirm 100% that her award is nowhere near this.

yummymummy2010

I sent my renewal forms 6 weeks ago and,as I hadn't heard anything,called the Tax Credit helpline who said my renewal was sent on to an outside agency and gave me their number. I called and the lady said that she would go through my application there and then. She then said that she couldn't as there were "signals" on my account,(I don't know what they are). She then asked for my telephone number and said that someone would probably call me. I have been in receipt of Tax Credits for 7 years and none of my details have ever changed - I am in the same house with the same job and hours,I don't have a partner and just 1 child. I'm worried sick about this and any help or advise would be greatly appreciated.

Kyresa

newmummy123 wrote: »

Also, i shall refer back to my friend who has also been referred to specialist team. She has one 12 year old child. Is not disabled in any way and only works 16 hrs with no child care. She has never had any award over £8500. That is why i thought it was a bit strange when you said it was only people over this amount because I can confirm 100% that her award is nowhere near this.

I don't know why Taxcredits keeps saying that either, because I am in the same situation as your friend and went through the specialist team. So it seems more random than is being suggested.