Why get MP involved with tax credits?

homeagain_2

I'm about to speak to my MP for the second time regarding my claim for tax credits that has been outstanding since the 28th June. I initially asked him for help 3 weeks ago, it took him a week to reply, he did very kindly telephone them for me only to be spouted the same 'no time schedule' line. His response was to say ok I'll ring back in two weeks. In my opinion this isn't good enough. Yes I'm aware that MP do not have a magic button, but another 2 weeks when your trying to keep an adult and 3 children on £65 a week is a huge amount of time.

So my question is, when we're are having issues with tax credits why exactly is it we're encouraged to get MP's involved?

MrsManda

TBH I haven't a clue other than it's seen as being in the MP's interest to try to help their constituents as they may get positive press out of it. I suppose there's a chance that negative press for the HMRC may hurry things along but it's doubtful considering how much bad press they get anyway and things have to be dealt with in the right process and order.

My mum deals with complaints within the HMRC when they cannot be dealt with at a local office level. She often gets letters from MPs trying to bypass the usual process and generally the answer is the equivalent of wait your turn.

sparkletots

homeagain

Im currently doing the same thing myself at the moment, my mp wont ring (too busy) so her secreatry has a few times, same old line they feed me that they feed him so its done no good at all apart from run my phone bill up!

His answer to me yesterday was if you dont have any money have you not heard of the food bank!

SuziQ

There are times when an MP can help.In my case with an alleged over payment (they claimed I hadn't returned my annual declaration) it forced them to reply quickly to me and give an answer where they were refusing to answer me on certain matters. He at that time said there was some sort of hotline, and yes I did get an answer-in writing-quickly so it was worth it for that. I can't uderstand why some claims/change of circumstances take so long, in my case it always been very quick-about a week turnaround and am always surprised (and horrified!) when I read on here, how long things can take for some people.

tifo

SuziQ wrote: »

In my case with an alleged over payment (they claimed I hadn't returned my annual declaration)

I've had the same, i rang on 30 July and sent them declaration on 27 July only for it to be logged 2 August.

I got a provisional assessment based on my telephoned figures and last week they stopped my payments.

I got a letter today (14 days since it was allegedly sent) saying payments are stopping because I didn't renew!

I couldn't call them last upto Tuesday becaue of the system update and they've said they will re-open the claim but it can take 1 week up to 4 weeks. That could be 6 weeks with no tax credits (WTC and CTC).

Mupette

tifo wrote: »

I've had the same, i rang on 30 July and sent them declaration on 27 July only for it to be logged 2 August.

I got a provisional assessment based on my telephoned figures and last week they stopped my payments.

I got a letter today (14 days since it was allegedly sent) saying payments are stopping because I didn't renew!

I couldn't call them last upto Tuesday becaue of the system update and they've said they will re-open the claim but it can take 1 week up to 4 weeks. That could be 6 weeks with no tax credits (WTC and CTC).

Based on how carp the royal mail is posting something on the 27th July to be there and logged for the 30th is really pushing it,

I'm not meaning to be so rude but why leave it so late, the longer you leave it the likely hood of this happening again is very high,

tifo

Mupette wrote: »

Based on how carp the royal mail is posting something on the 27th July to be there and logged for the 30th is really pushing it,

I'm not meaning to be so rude but why leave it so late, the longer you leave it the likely hood of this happening again is very high,

You didn't read my post properly. I RANG on 30 July and renewed over the phone BECAUSE they hadn't logged the form, which had 4 days to get there. They then sent me an assessment based on the figure given in the call.

I read somewhere that it is accepted that a first class letter would be delivered in two working days.

I wasn't leaving it late, like everyone else, i couldn't get through for 2 weeks.

Hammyman

homeagain wrote: »

another 2 weeks when your trying to keep an adult and 3 children on £65 a week is a huge amount of time.

You're not trying to keep them on £65 a week though...Child Benefit is over half that.

homeagain_2

Hammyman, I am getting by on just £65 a week, because my Child Benefit Claim isn't in place either!

As for maintenance for the children (because I'm sure that is the next statement) My children's father has court papers to say that he doesn't earn enough to pay anything towards thier keep (France).

Besides the question wasn't anything to do with the £65 a week I'm currently trying to run a household on it was.... Why are we encouraged to ask MP's for assistance?

custardy

tifo wrote: »

You didn't read my post properly. I RANG on 30 July and renewed over the phone BECAUSE they hadn't logged the form, which had 4 days to get there. They then sent me an assessment based on the figure given in the call.

I read somewhere that it is accepted that a first class letter would be delivered in two working days.

I wasn't leaving it late, like everyone else, i couldn't get through for 2 weeks.

aims to be

tifo

custardy wrote: »

aims to be

makes no difference in this case as i renewed by phone before the deadline.