Tax Credit Specialist Compliance Team Letter

tortmad

I received a letter today from the tax credit compliance team saying that their records show they stopped paying child benefit for my son in September 2009 and that I am no longer entitled to child tax credits.

I am a single parent with two sons, one at university and one looking for yet another college course. I work 25 hours a week (not through choice, I would work full time if I could get the hours).

The son in question here is 17. He left school in august 2009 and was enrolled in the apprentice scheme. This lasted for almost a year with meetings and interviews and then sadly nothing at the end of it. I phoned tax credits and they said this scheme was part of the approved training. I stopped receiving child benefit when he left school and did not query it as I thought if I was receiving child tax credits that was all I was entitled to. In august 2010 he enrolled at college on a construction course which he only went for about 3 weeks. He then enrolled in another course which lasted about the same time. He then enrolled with Scottish Electrical Training Trust and sat his SECTT test which he failed. He lives with me and is too young to get job seekers allowance but he is looking for yet another college course.

I am really worried now that I have been receiving money I am not entitled to but can't understand why I wouldn't be entitled to it as he doesn't have any income is only 17. I am still responsible for him.

I have always been honest with my claims and don't want to receive money I am not entitled to.

Can anyone tell me if I have a problem here as I am really worried after receiving this letter and can't phone until Monday now.

Thank you.

DX2

I think the problem is simply because of the child benefit, which wasn't extended. You get CB until the child is 19 IIRC as long as they are in FT education.
Have a look here: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/childbenefit/keep-up-to-date/when-child-aged-16/further-education.htm

nannytone_2

i agree that the problem has arisen because of the child benefit...... but..
if hes only been in full time education for a total of 6 weeks since last August......well it's hardly full time!

happy35

to get tax credits you have to have child benefit, therefore if you haven't had the child benefit you can't have tax credits

If your son left school in August I think tax credits would end at the beginning of September