Tax credits help please

vezhaybrit

Quite a few years ago the govt had a blitz on getting disabled people back to work. I was on benefits and sda but had the opportunity to go to work 16 hrs a week on a flexible basis to fit in with my disability, and at my iterveiw at dss was told that with wtc I would be better off. I took the job but was actually worse off as my council tax benefit was reduced, but thats not the issue.

Last year I had a lot of changes, firstly my employers business closed last may 2009 and luckily I went straight to work for someone else on the same hours and rate as before. I wrote to wtc and iformed them of this change. In October 2009 my daughter left home and quit college. I wrote again and informed tax credits of this. My money was reduced appropriately.

My new employment did not work out and I was laid off at the beginning of april 2010 but I had the opportunit to do similar work on a self employed basis. I wrote to the tax credit office and explained all this, and that I had registered as self employed, I was still working 16 hrs a week at the same rate but my income for 2010/11 is an estimate, as I am now self employed. I also gave them my income figure from 2009/10.

I ten got a letter saying my wtc had been stopped. I telephoned to ask why and was told that they had made an error. As my employment ended on friday and Self employment started on the following monday there was a break so the claim had stopped. I was told it would be ammended and sorted. A few days later I got a letter saying I owed hundreds of pounds. Again I telephoned to be told it was an error and would be sorted. Another letter, another call to be told that nothing had been actioned to correct it, but woyld be done now (3rd call)!!!

The next week another letter saying I owe hundreds. I call again and am told these letters are sent automatically and it will be cancelled out when the error is corrected. I was told the correction email was sent on 13th May and it cannot be questioned for 28 days which is the acceptable time for sorting a claim. I was told to ring June 10th (today).

I have telephoned today expecting some information to be told that an attempt was made to reinstate my claim but there was a technical problem so it has gone to their technical department. This department has no fixed timescale to sort things out and it says 31st August on my file but they weren't sure what that meant. I kept saying that there must be an acceptable time for me to wait, as I have had no wtc since the beginning of april. I even spoke to a manager and explained that I was borrowing left right and centre to meet my bills. She said that all she could tell me is that I was entitiled to the claim and would get the whole claim backdated but she could'nt tell me when and it was not her place to tell me how to pay my bills. I said so I could still be caling in 6 mnths time (from my park bench!!!) (did't say that) and she just kept repeating " I can't give you a timescale"

So I am at my wits end and don't know what to do now. Sorry for the long first post but having read other threads know how helpful you folks are and hope can give me some advice.

vezhaybrit

Can anyone give me any advice on this, as I am now getting letters demanding repayments but the helpline has told me I don't owe anything. Thanks.

littleladybird

Hi I'm not too sure how to help you as I too am in dispute with WTC - I am appealing against the decision to stop mine as they say I no longer qualify for the disability element and, as I only work 20 hours per week, (health problems make working any more hours totally impossible) I can't claim any WTC!

Like you I have had no payments since the start of April and have been told I can expect to receive the outcome of my appeal by 13th September. I'm in a similar position as you in that I cannot meet all my financial requirements and am fast running out of options.

Good luck luv and I hope someone comes along soon who can offer some help.

x

vezhaybrit

Thanks little ladybird, hope you get your claim sorted. I have been told i am eligible and will get my award backdated, but once its in the hands of the technical department they don't have to give any timescale. Apparantly theres a note saying 31st August on my fle so only 5 months to sort their own mistake! Nightmare.