overpaid tax credits?

buybee

my partner has just moved in with me,he is working full time, therefore i came off income support. We were advised to apply for tax credits which we have done and have just received our award. we were pleased to be told we were entitled to just over £70 per week as we have two children but when i went to the bank they had put in over £1000 back payments. As my partner and i only moved in together a month ago i knew this wasnt right amount due to us. I phoned tax credits who told me that yes this was all done through the computer and was definately the correct award as long as i had filled out the form correctly. As far as i am aware i did this correctly. I dated the form 28th may 2007.
My payments have been back dated to MARCH 2007 even although i told them over the phone that my partner moved in with me during May. I am scared to use the money. I was wondering if anyone else had been in the same situation?

Kimberley

buybee wrote: »

my partner has just moved in with me,he is working full time, therefore i came off income support. We were advised to apply for tax credits which we have done and have just received our award. we were pleased to be told we were entitled to just over £70 per week as we have two children but when i went to the bank they had put in over £1000 back payments. As my partner and i only moved in together a month ago i knew this wasnt right amount due to us. I phoned tax credits who told me that yes this was all done through the computer and was definately the correct award as long as i had filled out the form correctly. As far as i am aware i did this correctly. I dated the form 28th may 2007.
My payments have been back dated to MARCH 2007 even although i told them over the phone that my partner moved in with me during May. I am scared to use the money. I was wondering if anyone else had been in the same situation?

Go into the office and ask for written proof that they are saying this money is correct, make sure they sign it :rolleyes:

buybee

do they have local tax credits office or is it just the main one in Preston?

Gaz83

It's not correct - I would advise you not to spend the cash that they have paid in but take a cheque into your local HMRC office and get them to sign to say they have received it.

Kimberley

buybee wrote: »

do they have local tax credits office or is it just the main one in Preston?

It would be the boroughs main one.

buybee

Gaz83 wrote: »

It's not correct - I would advise you not to spend the cash that they have paid in but take a cheque into your local HMRC office and get them to sign to say they have received it.

I am going to my local office to return this. I just hope this will be sorted out if i go face to face with them, thanks

System

It looks as if they have backdated it in error. You need to make an appointment at your local Inland Revenue Enquiry Centre and go in with the payment and tell them the award has been backdated to before you moved in together. They may be able to adjust the history dates on the award or at least take a note of interview and pass the details on to the TCO.

donnalove

it might not be an error as they work out your payments over a year and could be a lump sum payment along with the backdating from may.

when you note a change they work your award from the begining of the tax year, they divide payments, then pay an extra payment for some reason. sorry not to good explaining lol.

If you check your award notice they tell u on there how they have worked it out, they also tell you whats been awarded for who and from when.

buybee

Gaz83 wrote: »

It's not correct - I would advise you not to spend the cash that they have paid in but take a cheque into your local HMRC office and get them to sign to say they have received it.

i contacted my local office who have told me they do not deal with any overpayments from child tax credits! They have advised me to call tax credits helpline again,I have spoken to tax credits four times now to tell them this cant be right and they are adamant this is. I phoned my local income support office for some advice and they said that this happens quite a lot and i should go through citizens advice, so i am going to try that option.