Tax Credits System

RazWaz

I started work at the end of june, my first job (I'm disabled and quite proud of myself for finding a job) but because I got all the disability premiums on my benefits, and I'm under 21 so get the lower rate minimum wage I'm on less money working than I was on benefits.

I know I can claim tax credits, and did so through the job centre the week I started work and never got an answer from tax credits, though I did get a follow up email about 2 months ago from the job centre saying it was all going ok.

I'd just phone up and see what is happening with my claim but one of my disabilies is deafness, and I don't have a textphone - and the one in the jobcentre is 'being fixed' (they have been saying that for 2 years now:mad:).

I did manage to arrange access to a textphone last week, and found the bloody system was down, does anyone know when it's going to be back up as it's a bit of a trek out to get to a textphone and I don't want to be disappointed again.

I also want to know, will they backdate the claim to the start of my job? Or will it just go from now onwards. I did claim right away, I just have no idea what happened to my claim.

nat_

First off.. well done on the job!

Secondly, the jobcentre is rubbish! I feel your pain, and know how frustrating it can be to sort these things out.

From what I've heard (and I'm all new to this too), they do backdate it. But usually when you start a claim, they have 4-6 weeks to pay you. If it's not been paid then yes of course, do harrass them... which I know isn't easy at the moment for you. Their system was down last week, but I was told it's back up and running by latest (fingers crossed) tomorrow!

Hope you manage to find a way to call them and get what's rightfully yours. If for any reason they don't backdate it, then you can always make a complaint, but you have to do that within a month.

Hope this all makes sense!! And good luck!!!

RazWaz

Thanks for the help! I have the day off work on Friday as I have to go see two different doctors and as I normally only work 4 hours on a Friday, given the bus to work takes an hour, can't really go before or after the appointments! So I'll try and get to that textphone again (it's being offered by my employer in their office, but I'm on placement with another company and don't work in my employers office). I hope I can get it all sorted as the winter fuel bills are a nightmare to cover (pay £450 a year and £300 is over the winter). Already spending the evenings with a blanket as I can't afford the heating on.