Tax credits claim - new claimant

Rachelleigh91_2

Hi all,

First of all i'd like to thank you for taking the time to read this and for your comments and help.

I'm new to this site, so please bare with me, I may have put this in the wrong section etc, if I have, please let me know!

Ok, so I started work for the first time on the 12th October. I put a claim in for working tax credits, (I am 19, but I receive disability living allowance due to ill mental health, so after completing online benefit checker put a claim in for them) on the 17th October. I contacted them a while later as had read on here to call them to make sure they have all the details they need as this can delay your claim. I was asked how much income I expected to receive for the remainder of the tax year, and was told they had all of the information they needed and I would hear shortly. I called again a while later, as still hadn't received anything (having been on benefits for 2 years prior to starting work, I am used to receiving an acknowledgment letter when they receive my claim informing me of an approximate time frame I would have to wait until hearing of a decision), and I was then asked whether I had claimed tax credits previously (which I hadn't), and they asked if my parents had previously claimed for me (which they hadn't). After informing them I hadn't heard since I sent my claim, the advisor told me she would pass my claim on to a specialist department, and if they needed any information they would call me. I would hear within 13 days. I haven't received anything as of yet, and thought it only took 3 weeks to hear after sending in your claim form :S

My mental health has now deteriorated again, and have been absent from work since last Monday (it is now the following Wednesday). I have a feeling I will lose my job due to this as it is only agency, and do not know when I will need to inform the tax office?

Does anyone have any ideas as to when i'll hear (approx?) and what the specialist team could be? Or why it's been passed to them?

Any ideas will be greatly appreciated. Thanks again in advance.

Rachel