specialist team for tax credits renewal (merged)

Kyresa

Sorry they are definitely checking us out! I got asked all kinds of questions about my living circumstances, right down to the names of my parents!!!

TotallyBrassic

Well I suppose they ask different claimants different things depending on their individual circumstances, the guy I spoke to basically clarified what I had put on my paper declaration..it was nothing at all like an inquisition, and was over in 2 minutes. As I say I will update if it was as easy as it seems to have been, I just don't want people to worry to the point of not phoning them. It isn't nice feeling like you have been singled out for special treatment but if your claim is genuine, and you have nothing to hide then I personally see no problem with just phoning and getting the inevitable over and done with

Numptytoes

Keira.Aaron wrote: »

Hi
I renewed through the specialist team mid April and my award has been finalised I have received all p/work and my prov award for this year in mid may! I take it everything has gone through and all checks completed?

If you haven't received a final award then no it isn't complete.

Keira.Aaron

I have received my final award notice! I received that mid may

Numptytoes

Keira.Aaron wrote: »

I have received my final award notice! I received that mid may

Sorry oops i read that you had only received your provisional!

mztz

Kyresa wrote: »

Sorry they are definitely checking us out! I got asked all kinds of questions about my living circumstances, right down to the names of my parents!!!

hi..cant believe theyve asked you 2 that extent!!wonder why??

dangerousuk2

Just a quick on the subject of renewing.
I called the renewal line last Monday after getting the renewal pack in the post earlier in the week. After providing the figures from my wife and my P60's the agent asked some pretty standard questions about changes in circumstance, childcare costs etc which I answered.
After the call I braced myself after reading this thread as I thought we would be contacted for more details etc.
Imagine my surprise when our final award notice dropped through the letterbox this afternoon.....detailing our final award for 2009/2010 as well as confirming my estimates for the next year.
We are getting around £160 a month in total (despite £800 a month childcare costs) so I'm asuming it went through pretty quick because we are getting a relativley small award?
The figures add up and I'm not disputing it, just releived the process was so quick after problems we had last year.

newmummy123_2

Hi all
Thought id come on and update .
As you know i was asked to send council tax bill and copy of rental agreement. Sent all these away on tuesday last week. On thursday i had an extra payment of tax credits in the bank??? Not sure why but wont complain. Today I have my 2nd provisional notice through door. The 1st provisional i got was when i didnt know i had to renew through specialist team and phoned main helpline who told me to phone specialist team as i never ever received a letter.

I have no clue whats happening but i am not phoning them as i have spoken to specialist team twice as they lost all my info from 1st phonecall. Its just a waiting game i suppose. Ive sent them all documents they asked for so ive complied with everything.

Cant wait for final award to drop through door and get this all done and dusted.
No idea why i have a 2nd provisional but alot of people seem to have got them today. My friend also got one.

newmummy123_2

Kyresa wrote: »

Sorry they are definitely checking us out! I got asked all kinds of questions about my living circumstances, right down to the names of my parents!!!

Thats shocking. I dont quite understand why they asked you that. Im afraid I would have said " Can you tell me why you would like to know the names of my parents please as my tax credits claim has absolutely nothing to do with them and Im afraid its none of your business who my parents are".

Its a very strange question to be asked Kyresa.
Bet you were not amused.

TaxCreditHelp

Kyresa wrote: »

Sorry they are definitely checking us out! I got asked all kinds of questions about my living circumstances, right down to the names of my parents!!!

I do admit this is a strange question to ask, and personally not one I would have. Just as a guess it may be that one of the Tax Credit tracing systems has identified potentially someone living at the same address, but this also shows people who have historically lived there so the adviser may well have gotten confused. It may seem easy but it's actually pretty tricky to navigate through the Tax Credit system at the best of time, never mind while on the phone with someone.

I'm sure it's nothing to worry about though.