Why two different tax credits letters after loss of husband?

MrsCautious

Hi. Would welcome any words of wisdom. For months I have been under the impression I need to pay back more than £3,000 in tax credits, after being told this was the case, this is after income which has come to me as a one off since losing my husband last year. The last time I spoke to them they said I'd get a letter in about Sept asking me to repay and if needed, to set out how much I could pay back in instalments.

Today I got a letter, addressed to me (under my maiden name -- we married after many years together before he died) as well as addressed to him, helpfully pointing out under his working hours he had died and saying I'm owed £308.

I tried to get through and will be on the phone tomorrow but it's so confusing. For a brief moment I day dreamed perhaps the overpayment was a thing of the past!

Can anyone help me understand why I have 2 separate communications? It has to be a mistake surely. But I was told to disregard an earlier letter addressed in the same way, then got a letter telling me I had to respond in a certain time frame.

I also need clarification from them on universal credit/tax credits as I thought there was no point me making a claim for any more tax credits due to savings but now -- with days to go -- I understand it may not come in until 2017.

Dunroamin

MrsCautious wrote: »

Hi. Would welcome any words of wisdom. For months I have been under the impression I need to pay back more than £3,000 in tax credits, after being told this was the case, this is after income which has come to me as a one off since losing my husband last year. The last time I spoke to them they said I'd get a letter in about Sept asking me to repay and if needed, to set out how much I could pay back in instalments.

Today I got a letter, addressed to me (under my maiden name -- we married after many years together before he died) as well as addressed to him, helpfully pointing out under his working hours he had died and saying I'm owed £308.

I tried to get through and will be on the phone tomorrow but it's so confusing. For a brief moment I day dreamed perhaps the overpayment was a thing of the past!

Can anyone help me understand why I have 2 separate communications? It has to be a mistake surely. But I was told to disregard an earlier letter addressed in the same way, then got a letter telling me I had to respond in a certain time frame.

I also need clarification from them on universal credit/tax credits as I thought there was no point me making a claim for any more tax credits due to savings but now -- with days to go -- I understand it may not come in until 2017.

Tax credits aren't affected by savings.

pmlindyloo

Dunroamin wrote: »

Tax credits aren't affected by savings.

Any interest above £300 a year on your savings has to be declared.

MrsCautious

Hi, thanks for replying, I was mistakenly under the impression Universal Credit -- which is affected by savings -- was coming in earlier than it was. I have spoken to the helpline this morning and they couldn't have been more helpful, I've declared everything I have to and the letter for me and my husband relates to a period ending on the day he died, so I have calmed down about that.