CTC much, much less this month

ravenlooney

Hi,
Just wondering if this has happened to anyone else, and if theres anything I can do about it as its left us in very dire straits. This month (as its the 1st payment in the new tax year apparently) my child tax credit payment it over £400 less than it usually is. Next payment will go back to normal. I called the helpline about this and they said 'its because there are 13 payments in a year and its just the way the system averages out the payments. Theres nothing we can do about it. Dont worry your next payment, in May will be back to the usual amount'. Now, this has left me over £400 short this month, which is a HUGE amount to us as we're very low income. Its a choice between pay the bills or buy food, and I really dont know how we're going to survive the next fortnight.

I dont know why im posting here, but im really worried sick just now. Can anyone offer any advice?

kurjam

do you not get your payments weekly ??
i have children and get ctc only but i get them weekly, maybe you should ask if you can have weekly payments then you would not have had a drop in money, as payments stay the same all year (providing there ar eno changes)

mancitychick

Surely its irrelevant whether they pay you 12 or 13 times a year. All the payments should be for the same amount? Years back when I was paid my wages 4 weekly (13 times a year) each payment was for the same amount, they just divide the amount owning by 13 not 12. I think you need to call them again and clarify this.

ravenlooney

Kurjam - no, ive never had weekly payments. I prefer monthly (or 4 weekly) as I pay bills monthly. I find it easier to budget things that way.
mancitychick - apparently its just the way the system does the rounding up. Sounds insane to me but I have spoken to them again and got told the same thing.

Oh well, im just going to have to do a lot of juggling and tighten the belts a lot for a few weeks.