Tax credit help please

wanna-be-mortgage-free_2

Just a quick query if someone can help, although I will phone the helpline once I've got my paperwork together

I have been separated from my husband for about three months now but I forgot to inform the Tax Credits people. We are hoping to get back together sooner rather than later. My question is should I still phone them to let them know, and would they back date any payment I would have been due or is there no point now that our circumstances will change again in a few weeks time.

Thanks in advance

System

Normally what happens when a couple separate is that they inform TCO who terminate the joint claim and get you to apply again on your own. Usually this means you would receive more tax credits because you would be single and probably on a lower household income.

When you and your partner would get back together again then the same thing would happen all over again with the single claim being terminated and a new joint claim being made.

Since you have not kept the TCO updated with your change in circumstances you have effectively done yourself out of an increase in tax credits for the period you were on your own. If you think you will continue to live apart they I would suggest contacting them as soon as possible so that your joint claim can stop and your new single claim can be instigated.

littleoldme_2

when me and my partner split , i didnt inform them straigth away about 6 weeks i think , when i did tell them they stopped my money i then had to wait about 5 weeks for it to start again. i then got a letter saying that i had an over payment and it was for the 6 weeks that the joint claim was kept going when i should of stopped.they said i wasnt intitled to it . i just hope this doesnt happen to you .