missed out on child tax credit :(

asali1390

:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

Can anyone help me please! Today I found out that my child is entitled to tax credit and I was not aware of that As a single mum and living on income support since my child was born (15th Sept 2011) I have really struggled with the little money I had.
now i am very frustrated why no one has ever told me about it or why my midwife gave me only one form and that was child benefit application form nothing else!!!


I always thought child tax credit is for those working and not for those on benefit!!
I would like to know whether I can backdate my claim to date my baby was born, I know that hmr will allow 1 month only but i am prepared to take this further if there is a little chance for me to get the money my baby was entitle to ( appeal, complain, going to court)
Please help:mad:

enabledebra

It must have been incredibly difficult to manage all this time without Child Tax Credits. But it's a difficult one as it's not HMRC's fault unless eg you sent in a form and they lost it or didn't process it.

You would need to look for compensation equal to the Tax Credit you've lost out on from an organisation who you can show should have told you. The NHS probably wouldn't accept they failed in their service as they aren't strictly involved in benefits but you can ask if the Midwife should have been expected to have told you about tax credits and could try a complaint with a request for compensation for the loss- I don't hold out much hope for this.

Another possibility is to check if the registry office you used was operating the 'tell us once' service. It rolled out from 2011 for births so it might not have been in operation at your registry office at the time but if it was there could be some scope for complaining to them if it wasn't offered. google "tell us once" and your councils name and see what comes up:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_199816

Poppie68

My daughter had her first appointment with her midwife 3 weeks ago and she was given a booklet on benefits, but it is not the midwives responsibilty to discuss or inform new mothers/mothers to be on benefit claims. The onus is on the individual to make sure they look into and apply for any benefit entitlements.

paddedjohn

To be fair, midwives have enough on their plates as it is without trying to be benefits advisors aswell. The onus is on yourself OP to find out what you are entitled to.

DaisyFlower

Not knowing is not an acceptable defence for an appeal. You were old enough to have a child so old enough to use the net and there are hundreds of places that mention tax credits. You knew you could claim IS gven you must have no income to support yourself and child so i am very surprised that you have missed it.

Midwifes are the to monitor you and baby not give financial advice, they already have a large workload as it is.

Chalk it up to experience and be thankful that you have now discovered tax credits.

Meadows

The onus on you as a to be or new parent to find out what you are entitled especially when you are on low or no income it is not the place for your midwife to be telling.

You have not mention of the father, is he paying support for your child?

Icequeen99

asali1390 wrote: »

:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

Can anyone help me please! Today I found out that my child is entitled to tax credit and I was not aware of that As a single mum and living on income support since my child was born (15th Sept 2011) I have really struggled with the little money I had.
now i am very frustrated why no one has ever told me about it or why my midwife gave me only one form and that was child benefit application form nothing else!!!


I always thought child tax credit is for those working and not for those on benefit!!
I would like to know whether I can backdate my claim to date my baby was born, I know that hmr will allow 1 month only but i am prepared to take this further if there is a little chance for me to get the money my baby was entitle to ( appeal, complain, going to court)
Please help:mad:

When you made the claim for income support, had your daughter been born?

Jobcentre plus should have helped you sort out the CTC claim under their fast track process so if there is any fault then I would suggest it is with them.

That said, tax credit claims last only 1 year, so I can't see how the appeal or official error routes would help you as HMRC haven't done anything wrong.

I would suggest you contact Citizens Advice or your MP even and ask them to help you with a complaint to maybe Jobcentre Plus?

IQ