pages of confusion over council tax credit

u751904

I've been claiming council tax credit whilst I was unemployed. In all honesty I have updated the council when I something changed like I started work. I made the claim back in march 2010. I filled in a booklet and sent in the relivant paperwork. I filled in the forms again for a assessment check and they've come back saying I owe them £500 odd pounds. This is based upon changes in child tax credit that I have been paid and I think a misunderstanding over child care costs. I paid for child care costs up front in a term fee and declared this on the form when I initially claimed. This was a one off cost covering a period of three months. Sent the invoice to them so they should have been able to see this it was clear on the invoice. Anyhow I get this 53 page report back which is very confusing to read and in areas wrong. Its like 'pulling hens teeth.' I am going through it line by line trying to tease out points and clarify.

I was nervous about claiming in the first place. Never claimed for anything until last year. I somehow knew it would back fire on me. I have this bill now which I can hardly meet as my take home pay is about £700 pm. Husbands about the same or less. He's self employed so it fluctuates. The process is made in my view to keep civil servants in a job and to prevent folk from claiming.

These forms are a nightmare - whole system maddness and really only works if you are employed.

I know I am whinging here but I just can't get the maddness. Am I alone?