waiting for Child Tax since 28th June

homeagain_2

A little about the situation..

I made a claim for Child Tax back in June, my forms were entered into the system on the 28th June. I received a letter back on 12th July asking for more information, filled them in sent them back guaranteed next day delivery. I've been going to my local tax office weekly to ring them to hear the same old tale of your claim is being processed.

On the 19th August it was suggested that I ask my tax office for an emergency payment. The tax adviser I spoke to issued me with a payment and also looked at my claim, she said there was an issue with the children's birth certificates and that they needed to be verified.

Another call to tax credits last wednesday confirmed that yes there was an issue with birth certificates and I would be recieving a letter/form asking me to send them in (I have to be in receipt of this letter to send them). The form to me had been requested on 29th august, so some 10 days after I'd been told by my tax office there was an issue with birth certificates. I was also told that they had no idea how long it would take for this form to be issued.

I spoke to a manager and told him I'd like to make a complaint about time taken and lack of communication. He took my details and said a complaints officer would contact me within 3 days by telephone. Well guess what? No communication from complaints officer either.

I rang again today, spoke to a adviser who told me she had requested my claim be escalated? So then to my question, please could someone tell me what happens after a claim is escalated?

Many thanks

1more?

snap well similar
i phoned to tell them of change of circumstance on 23/07 & had all monies stopped, i was sent a new form which arrived & was sent back in a wk
since then ive recieved no letters, i telephoned last wk to see what was happening to be told theres a problem with my daughters d.o.b could i please send child benefit my daughter birth certificate as it appears that her dob it wrong on the child benefit system
ok so posted off b.c last tuesday i called cb today an was told it can take 21 days to change details
phoned tc back and was told a letter will be sent in due course but cant say when the computer generates the letter

i dont have an advice sorry other than maybe contact your MP but please keep the thread updated as i shall be watching with intrest

freyanneke_2

The system is a pain. Especially when you really need the money. There seems to be a lot going on at the Tax Credits office, not all good though. It took them more than 6 months to sort out my claim properly and only after I had a nice chat with my MP. That was the best 7 minutes I have spend. It was sorted within 48 hours after they received his letter. Most MP's have a waiting list for appointments, but if you are explaining that it is getting a bit urgent, they are usually really good at letting you know when they can squeeze you in. Good luck!

1more?

ive recieved my letter & returned it just hope its not going to be to much longer, i was told my claim will be reviewed on the 21st if the letter isnt recieved before
freya 6m is awful ive only been waiting 7wks & thats bad enough

1more?

hi home again im wondering if you have had any joy ???

ive phoned them again this wk after sending my daughters passport off to them recorded on wed 8th and theres still nothing on the system to say its been recieved :mad::mad::mad:
i was told that my claim is due to be reviewed on 21st i will be ringing on the 22nd to see if anything has been done if not i will be ringing my MP who also happens to be a govenor at the same school as me :D

System

homeagain wrote: »

A little about the situation..

I made a claim for Child Tax back in June, my forms were entered into the system on the 28th June. I received a letter back on 12th July asking for more information, filled them in sent them back guaranteed next day delivery. I've been going to my local tax office weekly to ring them to hear the same old tale of your claim is being processed.

On the 19th August it was suggested that I ask my tax office for an emergency payment. The tax adviser I spoke to issued me with a payment and also looked at my claim, she said there was an issue with the children's birth certificates and that they needed to be verified.

Another call to tax credits last wednesday confirmed that yes there was an issue with birth certificates and I would be recieving a letter/form asking me to send them in (I have to be in receipt of this letter to send them). The form to me had been requested on 29th august, so some 10 days after I'd been told by my tax office there was an issue with birth certificates. I was also told that they had no idea how long it would take for this form to be issued.

I spoke to a manager and told him I'd like to make a complaint about time taken and lack of communication. He took my details and said a complaints officer would contact me within 3 days by telephone. Well guess what? No communication from complaints officer either.

I rang again today, spoke to a adviser who told me she had requested my claim be escalated? So then to my question, please could someone tell me what happens after a claim is escalated?

Many thanks

Unfortunately when the details supplied on the Tax Credit Application form do not appear to match those held on the Child benefit System that raises a red flag as a possible fraudulent claim. The Tax Credit Office helpline staff are not allowed to tell you about this when you call them because you could be the fraudster making that fraudulent claim using someone elses name and address etc. The only reason the enquiry centre staff were able to tell you was because you would have confirmed your identity by way of photographic and utility bill ID prior to them accessing the claim. They are not allowed to correct the claim themselves - that facility was removed some time ago.

This problem can be caused by something as simple as the scanner misreading your handwriting on the claim form and so the childs date of birth could be wrong or their name misspelled. (The details on the form are never input by humans). TCO then request the original birth certificate before making any corrections. They never put a claim into payment until they have made sure it isn't fraudulent.

By escalating your claim complaint they will possibly search for your documents in post they have received and fix your claim earlier than it would have been if they had just left it to be worked like they normally do - post is normally worked in date received order.

homeagain_2

No news here. My children's passports were sent via internal hmrc courier last Monday, so hoping to hear something this week.

I have a letter from the complaints department saying they'll try to contact me before 13th October (my complaint with them was raised on the 1st September). Utterly useless.

I will keep you updated