Total confusion...!

LL30

Made redundant as of 18th of this month and everything has got in a pickle. I'm currently deciding which agencies need a rocket placed up their backside, and currently, it seems all of them do!

Whilst working, I claimed CTC, WTC, childcare and part HB. I should have got 4 weeks run on of TCs, but someone pressed the wrong button, and cancelled my claim. They are trying to rectify this, but I'm aware this can take time. I applied for IS a couple of weeks ago. I knew that I wouldn't be entitled to any money immediately, due to my TC run on, but now I'm not getting that.

So now I'm completely stuck when it comes to budgeting (well, the fact there is no budget is a fairly large issue) as I really don't know what I may get or when. So far I have established that:

A) IS are processing my claim. I rang them during the week to ask them how they could do this as surely they would need last pay advice and info on my TCs (which at the time I didn't know had been cancelled) They advised me that they would write requesting the info. The last pay slip shouldn't be a problem (depending on when my employer decides to send it!) but I'm going to struggle to provide the TCs info, as I just don't know when it's going to kick in. So I'm presuming this is going to cause a delay. Do the TCs and IS IT systems link up?

HB want my last pay slip, and will get my TC info from the system, but this is currently wrong, so my claim will be worked out incorrectly. I have rung them to advise them of this, and they said that they would just have to go on the info they do have. It also means that I've decided to let this month's DD for council tax go through, as I just don't know whether I will be eligible for council tax benefit or not.

C) I was entitled to 4 weeks run on for childcare, which I was using for childcare. I've adopted a slightly risky strategy of keeping her in one day a week (if I take her out the other day, she will lose her place, and then I really am in trouble) I spoke to HB yesterday and they may waiver their usual stance on 'you're unemployed so you don't need childcare' as I pointed out that you have to give 4 weeks notice and I can provide evidence to support this. So that's a small victory, but means more waiting and messing around with sums etc - it's all just such a mess!!

So, currently, I have no income and I'm not sure how this is all going to pan out. The original end date for my TCs is going to be way after what I thought it was, and this is having an impact on everything else and I'm not sure whether I'm taking the right course of action - have I missed a trick anywhere? Everyone has been contacted but I'm still in the dark. Who do you think I should be 'harassing'? (Sorry, tried to think of a better word!) Will my TCs be paid weekly when it's sorted, or in a lump sum? The guy on the phone didn't know - and that in turn will effect the sums!

Sorry, small essay - it's all going around in my head. I have some interviews lined up next week, so I'm praying that I'm successful in landing something, but even then, I'm going to need a little help as I have to be CRB'd, so wouldn't start immediately.

Any thoughts/advice/words of wisdom? Anything I've been a pr at with?

System

With regard to the Tax credits. Call them back and tell them because of their error you are not receiving any CTC, which you are entitled to, and your claim for other benefits is being delayed because of that error.
Emphasize the hardship you are facing and ask for a hardship payment. They should refer you to the National Payment Team who will call you back within an hour and tell you if they will issue a hardship payment. If they will you will get it the next day (not sure about Sunday deliveries).

HTH

LL30

Thank you - hadn't heard of the National Payment Team, always good to know the names of who you're after! Will give it a go x

LL30

Gave them a call but they said it's already been referred to another team, so I can't be referred twice? On the up side, it looks like it may be sorted quicker than anticipated (not holding my breath mind). Apparently they haven't had to initiate a whole new claim, even though they closed my last one, they've just had to renew it to reopen it...or something like that They've told me to ring back if I haven't had a payment by mid next week, far sooner than I was anticipating. Thanks for the heads up, if I hadn't have rung them, I'd still be sat here stewing over it. Yet again, i think it's a case of which adviser you speak to on the day (and I've decided that the one I spoke to today isn't a numpty, but the one from last week probably is, makes me feel better!) x

ChaseMe

You know i feel pretty sorry when this stuff happens to people. Do their systems not have a warning box come up saying something like "Are you sure you want to cancel this persons claim?."

If they did have this warning and the person still cancels the claim, then in my opinion they should be sacked.

LL30

ChaseMe wrote: »

You know i feel pretty sorry when this stuff happens to people. Do their systems not have a warning box come up saying something like "Are you sure you want to cancel this persons claim?."

If they did have this warning and the person still cancels the claim, then in my opinion they should be sacked.

It's the uncertainty that worries me the most. Granted people make mistakes, it's human nature, but when they don't seem to know a time frame to correct the mistakes, or understand the impact it has on other claims, that's when I get really annoyed! In terms of budgeting, I have no clue what to do. Granted I can sit tight and buy essentials only, but how much rent should I pay? I've paid my council tax, but I have no idea whether I should have done! I know it will all work out, but I have to ensure that I have enough money to keep us afloat in the meantime and pay enough rent to prevent court action etc

Thanks for your kind words x