Need to ask a Q to stop me worrying

2005CLAIRE

If no one minds - thanks.

Mine and husband's combined salary has only changed a little over 12 months (about £1,000 more). I was told over the telephone ages ago that unless it went up dramatically then I didn't need to call (3 kids, low income). Then a few months ago we all received a letter saying "Have your circumstances etc changed - give us a call".

My circumstances haven't changed so I didn't call - my friend who also received the letter and is in same circumstances as me (same job/salary) called the WFTC helpline and they said you didn't really need to call. Since then she has had a form telling her about this year's entitlement and I haven't.

So the question is, should I have phoned or not?

Sorry if the question has been asked before - everytime I start to read the threads I get all panicky reading about the money being stopped etc due to no fault of their own - so I stopped reading - don't want a panic attack :O(

Thanks for any help xx

CIS

Your best off telephoning them to finalise the claim as failure to do so may void the previous yrs claim .

Give them last yrs income and an estimate of this yrs and that should sort it for you.

2005CLAIRE

Thank you.

Money is so tight (I really don't know how people afford to run and car or smoke). I worry that if I phone they might press a wrong button on their computer and the WFTC that I receive will disappear.

Will take deep breaths and phone them tomorrow lol

Thanks again.

aurorahelios

I haven't heard about this years entitlement yet either so I don't think thats a problem.

If its bothering you then phone, even if it only to put your mind at rest.

tigtag02

You should call the WFTC and inform them of ALL changes - no matter how small.

Personally after many mistakes on their part in the past I write to them only now, keep copies AND send recored delivery!

2005CLAIRE

When you say that we need to inform them no matter how small why did they tell me I don't need to inform them until our combined income reaches a certain amount? When exactly should I tell them, say 1 month I get a certain wage and the following month another amount - it's all so confusing to me.

tigtag02

Because Claire most of them dont know what they are talking about!!

If I have learnt anything form this g*dforsaken institution is cover your own back at ALL times.

tigtag

DazzerG

tigtag02 wrote: »

Because Claire most of them dont know what they are talking about!!

that's a bit like saying that most benefit claimants are cheating the system!

.....I suspect both statements are untrue, unless you have managed to conduct some official research into this?

Tarasam

tigtag02 wrote: »

Because Claire most of them dont know what they are talking about!!

If I have learnt anything form this g*dforsaken institution is cover your own back at ALL times.

tigtag

Thats a terrible thing to say.. we have to work with a system that (at times)does what it likes and with the general public who use this to their advantage and try to fiddle the system. Can you imagine the grief that we get every day off people with your attitude. I'm shocked i thought this board was helpful to all.....obviously i was wrong.

System

If your award notice tells you in black and white that you don't need to let them know your houshold income has changed unless it goes over a certain amount then that is true and you don't need to worry. Last year that increase was £25000 so if your income rose by less than that you are ok.

Renewal notices are issued according to need/size of award. So whilst some have already gone out others are still in the process of being issued. If you call to do it over the phone and the system says yours has not yet been issued then they will not be able to take the details. When you receive the renewal form you will have until 31 JULY 2007 to return it.
As a tigtag02 says it would be best to send it recorded delivery or hand it into your local Inland Revenue enquiry office for them to forward on.

tigtag02

DazzerG wrote: »

that's a bit like saying that most benefit claimants are cheating the system!

.....I suspect both statements are untrue, unless you have managed to conduct some official research into this?

Its nothing like saying that at all!!