HB/CTC question...

flower_chops

I renewed our child tax credits recently, checked my account online last night and there's a back payment and 2 smaller payments made. Haven't had the paperwork bit of it through yet but when it does I'll need to let the housing benefit people know the change (CTC increased by approx £10/week). What I'm wondering is, am I best to hold onto the back payment for a bit until I've updated my HB details? There's things that we could clearly use the money for right now but we're honest folk and concerned that maybe HB people will ask for the back payment. There's a period for around 8 weeks we must've been getting underpaid by CTC which is why the increase. I'm not worried if they reduce our HB (obviously would rather they didn't!!) since CTC's increased but does anyone have experience of whether they will take the back payment?

Thanks - I'm not too hot on these things so thought this would be the best place to ask :j

paulofessex

That is an interesting question, one that l wouldn't mind finding the answer too. Would l be right in thinking they only need to be made aware of the new 2010/2011 award, unless of course any underpayment takes your saving over the limit.

My main question would be at what DATE do HB go by when looking at reviewing the claim following any increase of WTC or CTC. Do they take it 5th April 2010 which would mean some people could already have over a months worth of CT/HB overpayment's.

To the OP you could use the Housing Benefit Calculator to gain a rough guide of how much CT/HB you may be entitled to. But rememebr its just a guide

flower_chops

If they just need to be made aware of the new increased payments then I would presume it to be from April, as you say. We have zero savings so won't interfere with that lol! Was £142 so not a drop in the ocean really The bit you say about WHEN they look at CTC's increasing though would be the crux of it, I think.

Be interested to see if anyone else has had this happen before...still gonna hold on tight to that money though for now