Applying for sure start grant at the same time as tax credits?

SandA

Hi

I've applied for the sure start grant on the same day as sending my tax credit form off, there was an option on the grant form that you 'were waiting to hear back from tax credits'.. has anyone applied for both at the same time? Just wondering what the process is? do you send your tax credit notice of when you get it? or is sure start government and therefore there notified when a decision is made?

Also, how long can i expect to hear back from tax credits? I sent it yesterday by special delivery and its been received there today.#

Thanks

LL30

I did, and I'll be honest, it was a right mess! I got turned down, because I wasn't claiming tax credits...so I wrote a letter of appeal...appeal turned down because I wasn't claiming tax credits...the day after I got the letter telling me my appeal had failed, I got £500 in my account - the Surestart grant.

Best advice I can give - when you ring them, get the name of the person you are dealing with. When writing, keep a copy and send recorded delivery - also quote names of people you have spoken to with dates and times. Make sure you respond immediately to letters, there are tight timeframes to adhere to.

Hope that hasn't put you off, forewarned is forearmed and all that. Hopefully you won't have similar problems, but they nearly threw out my claim as they claimed I was out of time (I wasn't, nearly, but I wasn't - my daughter was prem, so we were stuck in NICU!) If you keep clear records, it'll really help as with all DWP/HMRC things x

gingergee

About 14-18 weeks for a new tax credit claim x

SandA

Thanks LL30, may I ask in the end how did you prove you were getting tax credits, or is it something they do on there system? My little one is 4 weeks and I applied for tax credits a couple days ago, so hopefully its a quick process and I am in the timeframe for the grant. Its such a pain, don't know why they have an option on the form to say your waiting to hear back from them when they just reject it! Is there an option to just re-apply as opposed to appeal, seems the appeal process is more time consuming then just re-applying when you get tax credits.

Does tax credits really take that long? because if thats the case im going to completely miss the 12 week deadline feel quite screwed over with this, would be a doddle to get if we were on benefits, not a dig but they do make it difficult for those who aren't with the deadline, not letting you claim until in receipt of tax credits etc.. especially when it takes that long!

If i get tax credits in my bank before the award letter, would it be ok re-applying for the grant then, like if they check in there system it should all be legit and say im in receipt etc.. as ive seen a few people dont get there award notice until a few weeks after there payment.

Thanks

taxi36

gingergee wrote: »

About 14-18 weeks for a new tax credit claim x

Oh my word is that how long new tax credit claims are taking at the minute?

My Daughter had her Baby in December and submitted a tax credit claim and her money was in her bank account within 2 weeks.

14-18 weeks is ages , it would be so hard financially having to wait that long.

SandA

Yeah we will struggle if it takes that long. Hoping it takes a few weeks but knowing my luck it will take far longer.

If I was to get it in 3 weeks, would I get 7 weeks worth? (I sent of my claim when my baby was 4 weeks old, so it should be backdated for them 4 weeks, right?) or will i get 4 weeks worth, then the 3 weeks waiting time money later on?

Hope i haven't tounge tied myself to much with that and someone understands haha.

gingergee

You'll get it paid back lol and the grant dont worry!! It can take that long yeah, but hopefully cos of the time of year, it will be quick for you. I had some savings ready for it and had to sell allsorts, including my oh speedboat just to live lol!! Dont worry, and im sorry if i scared you x
Will be paid to when the bubba arrived, or the first monday after i think xx

LL30

In my appeal letter (GL24 form - something like that!) I told them I was waiting to hear from tax credits, they still didn't care! Basically, their response was 'you're not claiming tax credits', my response was 'no because I wasn't eligible until I had my daughter'. Tbh, it was a complete pickle - everyone I spoke to on the phone understood that there's a problem with the way the system works and the timescales given, but basically, they're not willing to change them, and nor do they care.

Just make sure you keep a copy of everything as I said before. Worst comes to the worst and you don't get your tax credits award in time, you can appeal it with all the info - showing when you applied for tax credits and therefore when you actually became eligible. If they don't listen to that, then take it to your MP. Sounds OTT, but sometimes your MP is the only way they listen.

Sorry, I hate to sound so damning and negative, but as someone who had never claimed anything before, I didn't have a clue, nor could I work out why someone would develop such a blatantly flawed system. I have now realised that this is the norm. Roll on finishing my MA when I am no longer state dependent...she says...I might need about another 2 years on top of that before I can wriggle free!

Good luck, I hope it goes ok for you and that you're enjoying being a Mummy! It's my daughter's 2nd Birthday today and she's gone back to bed due to all the excitement xxx

taxi36

SandA wrote: »

Yeah we will struggle if it takes that long. Hoping it takes a few weeks but knowing my luck it will take far longer.

If I was to get it in 3 weeks, would I get 7 weeks worth? (I sent of my claim when my baby was 4 weeks old, so it should be backdated for them 4 weeks, right?) or will i get 4 weeks worth, then the 3 weeks waiting time money later on?

Hope i haven't tounge tied myself to much with that and someone understands haha.

Yes , your tax credits will be paid from the day the Baby arrived.