Extra child tax credit payment?

Abbafan1972

Yesterday our child benefit went into the bank as normal and then another payment of £72.99 went in straight after.

Couldn't check to see what it was this until this morning as it just shows as "bank credit", and it's from Child tax credits.

Our tax credits don't go in until tomorrow and was just wondering if anyone else has had an extra payment, as we haven't received a letter from them, so don't know what it is?

kingfisherblue

There was a thread a few days ago about people getting an extra tax credit payment, although mostly they were a lower amount. I can't find the link at the moment, but several people received additional payments last week.

Abbafan1972

Thanks. I did do a search beforehand to see if anyone else had the same thing, but nothing came up.

ernie-money

I got this as well, and I rang up and queried it - apparently it's because of an update to their system, which has caused it to automatically generate an extra payment. It's sooo annoying though - I had it happen once in May as well, only then it was a four weekly payment, so I had 8 weeks worth in just a few days.
They don't see the problem, as you will still get the same amount over the year, but if they give you extra at the beginning of the year, then your weekly payments will be reduced for the rest of the year. When I said that to them, the bloke I spoke to just suggested I should leave the money in my account, not touch it, and only use £13 of it each week, as that's how much lower my payments will be from now on... That's really helpful...!

Abbafan1972

Thanks. I haven't rung them up as the Halifax only updated today to show who the money was from.

Our usual 4 weekly payment goes in the bank tomorrow, so it will be interesting to see how much they pay.

laura1976

yes I had the same today, we only get the basic £42.05 a month, which was paid in on friday, today I had another £36 paid in from tax credits, how odd!

UnderPressure

nothing nada zip for me must only be happening to a certain few

ells888

same for me, i had an extra payment last week and this week they have reduced my payment?? they could at least inform us? x

zagfles

Abbafan1972 wrote: »

Thanks. I haven't rung them up as the Halifax only updated today to show who the money was from.

Our usual 4 weekly payment goes in the bank tomorrow, so it will be interesting to see how much they pay.

You'll probably get your usual payment minus a bit over £12. I think they're updating the system with the new rates for next tax year so they get the run-on payments during the renewal window right, as the rules are changing more than usual.

It seems this causes the current year's payments to be recalculated - you'll get the same amount over the tax year but on the date they do the recalculation, if you are owed anything up to that date, you get it paid as a one off payment but then the rest of your payments are reduced accordingly (the same usually happens around May when claims are renewed).

zagfles

ells888 wrote: »

same for me, i had an extra payment last week and this week they have reduced my payment?? they could at least inform us? x

Yes - they send everything second class so the payment usually changes before you get the letter explaining why!

ernie-money

zagfles wrote: »

Yes - they send everything second class so the payment usually changes before you get the letter explaining why!

I never got a letter explaining anything in May, just an extra payment, and then about 20 quid extra per week from then on...