wtc - will they pay it now?

celinepatricia

A few months ago I applied for WTC as my husband had been finished from work due to ill health and capability. We we given an award which was being "kept back" until next year just incase our circumstances changed and he returned to work. We have found out this week that his cancer has returned so there is no chance that this will happen. If I get in touch with them do you think they will start to pay the award now as our circumstances are probably going to get worse not better as I will probably have to go onto working part time as and when his treatment will begin.

enabledebra

Do you mean that they based the award on last year's earnings and as you were unsure what this year's earnings would be they continued to base the award on last year's earnings until you had a better idea?

If so this is a 'protective claim' and, if you now know what the household's earned income is likely to be for April 10- April 11, you can provide this figure and ask for the award to be based on it.

When they have done this they will make any payment due but you need to make sure you don't underestimate as they will will review your earnings for 10/11 after April and if it's higher than your estimate this will generate an overpayment. You can minimise this risk by updating your estimate if you find work.

Please bear in mind your award of WTC will be restricted to the proportion of the year during which your household was working for the required number of weekly hours-so if this was 26 weeks of the year you would be entitled to half the amount that a household with the same annual income working enough hours for 52 weeks of the year would receive.

This is based on my guess as to what 'held back' means so may be wide of the mark.

no-oneknowsme

What celinepatricia means is that HMRC have put a potential payment notification on her tc account.

In usual circumstance this is , as celine says , to ensure that family circumstances do not change during the year which causes the family to suffer an over payment.

It would be unusual for HMRC to release the potential payment during the year , this is normally only released upon renewal which as you know is shortly after 6th April each year.

Celinepatricia - i am unsure as to what HMRC would say if you explained the situation regarding your Husband and asked them to release the payment to you now. It is in my opinion worth a shot though as the worst they can do is say no.

Just let me say how sorry i am to hear about your Husbands cancer . Its not easy when someone close is suffering this awful illness , i know because i am going through the same with a close family member myself.

All the best and i hope you get sorted

celinepatricia

Thankyou no oneknowsme..