Working tax credits backdated pay

anewman

Recently applied for WTC and received confirmation, however there was no mention of backdated pay. I understand it can be backdated up to 3 months but have only just read on the internet that what I should have done is attach a sheet of paper requesting backdated pay to the application form with some details. We did not know this at the time, if we call the phone line which keeps you waiting an eternity would they be able to sort it out?

Thanks in advance.

sinstar

Any documents/letters sent in with the form generally get separated from it because the form goes through a machine to scan your answers and transfer them onto the computer system so your letter probably just never got reunited with the form.

If you call the helpline someone will send a referral to the tax credit office to request the backdating, and the timescale for them to make a decision and change the start date of your claim is 4 weeks at the moment. Once they've done it they'll send you an amended award notice.

You probably will be waiting a while on the phone but I wouldn't try to do anything in writing, I can imagine it taking a LOT longer.

anewman

Phoned to be told not entitled to backdated pay. Seems like a scripted response cop-out to me?