Wages don't cover the basic bills

zagfles

Ianwindowman wrote: »

yeah they were higher. i was working but made redundant. i was working part time self employed during this time also.

but there was nothing on the form about estimates

There isn't anything on the form, you need to ring them and give them an estimate.

HB58

"are you saying we could be entitled to everything in your post?
i have never even heard of esa(ir)"


No, that is a list of things that entitle one to free scool meals - the bit that applies to you is CTC with an income not exceding £16,190.

TattyG

No - those are qualifying benefits to get school meals - those do not apply to you. The bit that applies to you in order to get the meals is the CTC only and earn less than £16,190. the only thing I can see you qualify for are the free school meals but I do agree with everyone else that your TC are wrong.

Ianwindowman

zagfles wrote: »

Well they are wrong, if what you've written in this thread is right. What was your income in 2011/12? Check your claim, do they know you have 2 children (the CTC seems right for one not two).

Something is wrong and you need to answer the questions you've been asked if you want help from us figuring out what its wrong.

jan11-jan12 was approx 21k as i was employed
jan12-jan13 was approx 6000
yeah they know we have two children

we must have made an error somewhere on the forms. we couldnt understand most of it! but who could go through the forms with us to see if we did make an error??

xylophone

go through the forms with us to see if we did make an error??

Does your local council have a benefits adviser? Otherwise try CAB.

zagfles

Ianwindowman wrote: »

jan11-jan12 was approx 21k as i was employed
jan12-jan13 was approx 6000
yeah they know we have two children

we must have made an error somewhere on the forms. we couldnt understand most of it! but who could go through the forms with us to see if we did make an error??

It's the income over the tax year that counts ie 6Apr-5Apr.

The way tax credits work is they always ask for previous tax year income and base your claim on that. If your income has dropped, you can phone them and give an estimate for your income this tax year (joint, gross). They will then base your claim on that...so you will get a lot more if you give them an estimate now. However - don't underestimate your income otherwise you will have an overpayment at the end of the year.

nannytone_2

tax credits are awarded on the previous years income.
you submit the forms and they send an award notice.
if your income has dropped significantly, you phone them and ask for an award based on an estimate of the current years earnings.

Ianwindowman

xylophone wrote: »

Does your local council have a benefits adviser? Otherwise try CAB.

not sure about the council. would cab know all about this sort of thing? as you get no info whatsoever from the jobcentre benefits advisers

Caz3121

Are you the father of the children, if not does the father pay maintenance?

gemini12

Yes the CAB does know about benefits. They have dedicated advisers who will help with forms etc. If they are not in your area there may well be some sort of money advice centre.