tax credits renewal...

loiseve

Hey

I thought rather than irritate some poor tax credits advisor with my impatience to ask for some help on here.

I renewed last Saturday and as yet, no changes, no letter, no idea! I, like many have 3 kids and whilst I do work I rely on my pyments to pay childcare and go towards my weekly food shop. We are on such a tight budget that I often only have less than £10 left a week after everything essential has been paid for...and sometimes not even enough for that!!

What Im saying is, if my payments are going to go down (although we havent had a change in circumstances, I just confirmed it was all correct as estimated), then i need to know!! I dont want to turn up at my childminders one morning with no money to give here and therfore unable to go to work.

I may seem paranoid but I think the year before last, we had a change in circumstances and our claim was investigated (went to some special office). I had to submit bank statements, details of our oay going back 3 years and all sorts. Whilst everything turned out OK (i.e. we had declared correctly) our payments stopped for 3 months while the 'investigation' took place and I ended up (no joke) owing my childminder £800 and missing rent for two months. We did get a back payment covering the period they stopped it, as the check came out clear, but it was such a nightmare and I wouldnt wish it on anyone. I know they have to do spot checks, but Im SO worried about it happening again, especially as I have a 10 week old baby!

Did anyone renew last weekend and has anyone heard back? I have phoned this morning but the automated message said to wait eight weeks!! I was in tears last night with worry, I dont think I can worry for that long. I just want to know everything will be OK and I think im a bit traumatised by whats happened in the past.

shellsuit

Hi, Welcome to MSE

Have a look through this thread as it might help : https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3212304

I'm still waiting for the renewal forms, I haven't even received those yet!

no-oneknowsme

loiseve wrote: »

Hey

did anyone renew last weekend and has anyone heard back?

Hi . Yes , I renewed last week , sent my forms on either Monday or Tues of last week (either 9th or 10th of May) and my award has been sorted out already. Got my lumpsum and new payment amount today.

no-oneknowsme

shellsuit wrote: »

Hi, Welcome to MSE

Have a look through this thread as it might help : https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3212304

I'm still waiting for the renewal forms, I haven't even received those yet!

Shellsuit I was talking to my Sister about this today. She hasnt received her renewal forms yet either.

She says that she only has to check her renewal form and doesnt have to ring unless there has been a change of circs etc.

She called the helpline and they told her that people who only have to check the forms sent to them (as opposed to having to call up to renew) receive their forms after everyone else. Could this be your situation too?

loiseve

Thanks, and have read the other threads, It seems a few people who renewed around the same time as me have had thiers sorted already...which is making me MORE worried!! aghhhh

shellsuit

no-oneknowsme wrote: »

Shellsuit I was talking to my Sister about this today. She hasnt received her renewal forms yet either.

She says that she only has to check her renewal form and doesnt have to ring unless there has been a change of circs etc.

She called the helpline and they told her that people who only have to check the forms sent to them (as opposed to having to call up to renew) receive their forms after everyone else. Could this be your situation too?

Everyone has to 'renew' their claim each year whether their circumstances have changed or not, so it can't be that. (either by signing and sending form back, or ringing and doing it over the phone)

It's just that whenever renewel forms get sent out, I've usually had them when I've first heard of them going out, I've never had to wait this long.

Lea28

Have you actually tried calling them for an update, I know it says you shouldn't but if it will stop you worrying then do it.

I called last saturday to renew , I phoned them this wed and it had been done, he gave me new payment details and I had a small overpayment so my payments had dropped by £25 a week. I was glad I called becuase I then has to re-budget for the new payments.

My advice - give them a call.

no-oneknowsme

shellsuit wrote: »

Everyone has to 'renew' their claim each year whether their circumstances have changed or not, so it can't be that. (either by signing and sending form back, or ringing and doing it over the phone)

This isnt so Shellsuit. Some claimants need to do nothing more than check the forms they are sent and if all the info is correct they do not need to phone or send the forms back. There is no "renewal" process for them other than to check the info held by HMRC is still accurate.

You can see this here in Martins own guide to tax credits http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/tax-credit-child-working-overpaymen , see point 2 and click the link in there just to get the full details.

shellsuit

no-oneknowsme wrote: »

This isnt so Shellsuit. Some claimants need to do nothing more than check the forms they are sent and if all the info is correct they do not need to phone or send the forms back. There is no "renewal" process for them other than to check the info held by HMRC is still accurate.

You can see this here in Martins own guide to tax credits http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/tax-credit-child-working-overpaymen , see point 2 and click the link in there just to get the full details.

Ahh, I see, thanks for that!

I've always had a declaration form sent to me with my pack, so have always had to ring or send the signed form back. BUT, saying that, I've had that when there has been a change or circumstances and when there hasn't been.

I'll never understand the system!

Wench

I dont know quite How i'll come across here. but in the past when the annual reviews been up, I've always recieved a extra, one off payment.

I dont need to call up and renew this year, so would that mean I have no extra unexpected £££ to look forward to ?

no-oneknowsme

shellsuit wrote: »

Ahh, I see, thanks for that!

I've always had a declaration form sent to me with my pack, so have always had to ring or send the signed form back. BUT, saying that, I've had that when there has been a change or circumstances and when there hasn't been.

I'll never understand the system!

lol , Your not alone , i would guess that half the population are confused by the tax credit system.

I think that the majority of people who only have the review form sent to them to check each year are those people who claim only the basic £545 element .

Hopefully your forms arrive soon Shellsuit. Its a relief to get them "done and dusted" for another year .