Help - What are we doing wrong!

Gwedo

Hi All

I hope someone can point us in the right direction as im totally lost and worried and need some advice. .

Im married with one child aged 12 months, we are both working.

My wife has just gone back to work after maternity leave, she has gone back part time 3 days a week and earns around £15,000 PA. Our nursery fees are now £690 a month:eek:

I earn around 23,000 PA.

I rang the tax credit hotline and they asked me questions based on earnings from 2010 - 2011 when my Wife was on full time at around 25k a year.

So....I was told we cant claim anything we would need to re apply in April "when out situation has changed"

Is this correct,

flutterby_lil

Well they do base it on last years income but if I know my income is going to be less, like this year as I will be on maternity leave and reduced pay, I tell them my estimated figures for the year which they have always paid me on.

kingfisherblue

My understanding is that if there is a major difference in income, you can ask for them to work it out on this year's income.

Gwedo

I did say my Wife earns much less now "sorry your not entitled to anything" i mentioned your basing this on what we earned before maternity leave.

All i got was you can re apply in April, but in the meantime we are really struggling

karenx

Call back and speak to someone else and ask them to reaces

somethingcorporate

Then try again, push the issue now you know it can be done on estimated income.

Oldernotwiser

Have you checked on http://www.turn2us.org.uk/benefits_search.aspx what benefits you might be eligible for on an income of £38,000?

[Deleted User]

Also if your wife was in receipt of SMP this Year you can deduct £100 off your Wife's income for each week of SMP (max £3900 39 weeks)