Help re: working tax credits

gario900

Will try cutting this short as using mobile.

Had lengthy spell on income support, became self employed 13th july, DWP calculated on my sums and hrs i'd qualify for 51.80 pw tax credits.
Applied for application (usual scenario, 1 week to receive, a week to get back then a 3 week deadline). I filled in application with local welfare officer and posted.
Nearer the deadline i phoned for an update, response was they wer waiting on further information from me (never received a letter nor call) , was i employed or self employed and how many hrs was i working, to which i replied that all that information was on application-self empl and 40+ plus hrs, had i any change in circumstances since application, told her nn apart from only working 25hrs due to viral infection, fine....

A few days later received a letter stating i didn't qualify as i was working under 30hrs, angry i went into the glasgow office, the girl assumed that that one week of working only 25 hrs she put down the other 8weeks as under 30hrs (i am averaging 43). She told me a new application would have to be sent again, and as usual a 5 week delay.

A couple of days later, angry about the situation, i phoned again, got a helpful guy, he said it was a minor and it could have been rectified over the phone but because a new applcation had been posted out that id need to start afresh.

Again received application, took it to welfare officer along with my book keeping etc, i sent application and officer sent seperate letter with hrs etc.

Past friday i received a letter from blackpool station asking for hrs and receipt book, phoned them, man asked who's name was on letter, he hadn't heard of her, he told me to send original receipt book, tear out the pages in diary and post them on, i told him id send it first class recorded as today the 20th is deadline day. He said it would sort it and do an emegancy payment (wateva that is).

I phoned yesterday and they told me it hasnt arrived yet, i tracked it and it was signed for on tuesday. They are also saying i wont get an emergency payment that it will come in due course.

I was relying on the credits from day one to keep me afloat, now its nearing 800 due,

can anyone give advice and wat i should do next

thanx

gario900

Sorry about the errors, like i said i was using my mobile, i hope u get the gist of it.

Cheers

Icequeen99

You should probably get some advice from a welfare rights adviser.

You could have appealed the original decision, but that could take some time. Providing that this one will backdate to the date you came off IS it might be better to stick with this claim.

HMRC have the power to carry out checks before they put claims into payment and they are doing more of them these days especially for the self-employed.

The best advice is to provide all of the information asked for, keep ringing them and if nothing happens make a written complaint and get your MP involved.

IQ

gario900

ThankYou IQ,

i'm just of the phoe to them, the 3 week deadline is only for the helpline to get it to the appropriate apointee to sort the claim, she said i'll hear within the next 7 days. I will keep you up to date.

Many thanx