Working Tax credit child care payments

ragdoll24

Last year I decided to put my children into childcare because I started a self employed job which was working long hours. To cut a long story short, I had a bad time last year and suffered depression so my children missed a lot of their time at the child care provider and all in all only attended 2 sessions.

I completely forgot to ring up tax credits to inform them that my children had not gone to their childcare as much as I had assumed they would when I put in a claim, so obviously there will be a large overpayment.

I suffered a nervous breakdown this year and have been signed off working for 6mths with severe depression, anxiety, high bloody pressure so am currently under my dr and the mental health team and getting as much support as possible as I am a single mum of 3 young children. CAB are helping me with finances as at the moment I am earning nothing as I cant even get out the house and my mum has been caring for me 7 days a week for the past few months. CAB advised me to claim ESA which I have but I am now worried that tax credit will come down hard on me because I didnt use the child care provider last year as much as I estimated that I would and I never rang them to say I had not been using the childcare apart from the 2 occasions. I just completely forgot to ring tax credits and tell them due to my depression.

I have now written to them apologizing and asked how much I will need to repay them, but wondered if they will come down hard on me and will they take me to court or fine me?

If anyone has any knowledge on this I would be greatful for your advise as I am worried sick.

nannytone_2

only 2 choldcare sessions over the whole year?
were you also receiving working tax credits?
did the childcare provider still receive payment even though they werent watching your children?
did the childcare provider not ask you wherte the children were and if you still wanted the places?

ragdoll24

I started claiming childcare from August to April so less then a year. The child care provider didnt chase me for the places and yes they only attended 2 sessions and no I didnt have to pay for sessions they did not attend. I was receiving working and child tax credits.

nannytone_2

so presumably you still have the money that they paid you for childcare?
if you didnt work, you also wouldnt have been entitled to wtc either.
you will have a considerable overpayment, but the best policy is honestly.
explain the situation and holed your habds up and be ready to make a repayment schedule.

do you have medical evidence to back up your claim?

ragdoll24

I did work but when I was ill and had to take the odd week off I didnt get paid because I was self employed so my wtc is correct its just the element of child care that would have been overpaid. And no I dont have the child care money that was paid within my tax credits as I was on such a low income and the times I was off sick meant I used the money to survive and put food on the table for the kids.

I stopped working at the end of Feb when I had my breakdown and am now on a high dose of antidepressants, anxiety tablets, high blood pressure tables and tables for diarehoa because food isnt staying down and I have been like this for 4weeks now which the dr is investigating by current blood tests and a sample, I am very ill at the moment. I am under my dr weekly and the mental health team and the dr is supporting me all the way and that is why she has backed me with a claim for ESA. I am going to the CAB today and will see if they can help me. Of course I want to pay back the money tax credits gave me for chlidcare and presume they will just adjust my tax credits to claim it back for this year I am just frightened they will do more then that and prosecute me or something like that?

georgiasdragons

Have you done your renewal yet?


When you do they ask you if there are any changes from your renewal pack.

Just say yes the childcare and then explain when if was from.

There will be an overpayment but they will stretch it over 24 months if your on low income

shedboy94

If the childcare was only used twice then presumably you were looking after the children yourself and therefore not working?

This is benefit fraud and hopefully will be dealt with accordingly.

It never amazes me the amount of perople who "forget" to call when the call itself would reduce the money, but if it was a call to increase the money then that would never be forgotten.

davehughes182

I must admit that although your situation is unfortunate, a 5 minute call would have put a stop to all this. you might have forgot to call, but you could not have missed the increased payments you where still receiving so surley that would have set the alarm bells ringing?
I would advise to call them ASAP and explain. You will be required to pay the money back but as for them coming down hard on you, they wont. no fines and no court either. just pay back the money you took.

shedboy94

davehughes182 wrote: »

I must admit that although your situation is unfortunate, a 5 minute call would have put a stop to all this. you might have forgot to call, but you could not have missed the increased payments you where still receiving so surley that would have set the alarm bells ringing?
I would advise to call them ASAP and explain. You will be required to pay the money back but as for them coming down hard on you, they wont. no fines and no court either. just pay back the money you took.

You can't really say this for a fact. Tax Credits have handed out more penalties this year than every other year combined, and the amount will be increasing each year.

davehughes182

shedboy94 wrote: »

You can't really say this for a fact. Tax Credits have handed out more penalties this year than every other year combined, and the amount will be increasing each year.

I can say it for a fact. 100% no fine for failing to advise of a change in circs. There will be an overpayment which will need to be paid back but no fine what so ever

shedboy94

davehughes182 wrote: »

I can say it for a fact. 100% no fine for failing to advise of a change in circs. There will be an overpayment which will need to be paid back but no fine what so ever

How can you be so sure?