Tax Credits Stopped for 5 Weeks

hollyh

My Dp has just moved in, i informed the tax credits and they say my current claim will be stopped and it will take up to 5 weeks before the new one will be sorted.

My Dp and I are both self employed, i earn a pittance and he hasn't had any work since before Christmas.

Unless Dp can find work asap the only income we will have is £100 maintenance for the entire 5 weeks and child benefit which will be £60 on the 28th January.

It's my Son's Birthday next week as well and i haven't bought him anything yet.

The rent is due in a week.

I have a bit of money in my account but it's to pay bills.

We have enough food to last a couple of weeks.

What can i do? I've got some stuff lying around that i can sell but i don't think it will be enough.

Kayalana99

Hiya is their someone you can get a loan off temporary? Do you not have enough to pay rent or is that included as you say you have money to pay bills for now?

Perhaps you could celebrate your sons birthday at a later date?

Say you've arranged a trip out for the day on XX date(in future) as an example?

newcook

Ask the council for a crisis loan?

hollyh

Thanks, my Dad has lent me some money, the rent is covered and the bills for now but it's not going to last 5 weeks.

They don't do crisis loans anymore i checked that.

bellevie

As Christmas has just been, do you have anything you could return to shops for a refund?

Is there anyone that can loan you money - friends, family? - tax credits normally back date, so when you get your first payment as a couple, it may be initially higher so you could pay them back.

Any bills that you could call up and reschedule for later in the month, gives you a chance to raise some money via work? Im sure when I changed my electricity payment date from middle of month to beginning, they said they would have to miss a payment as they had to allow minimum of 30 days between payments, so they didn't take it 2 weeks later like I expected but 6 weeks not sure if its a rule, or just their policy, but worth finding out.

Do you get any help with your rent - on a low income you maybe entitled? - though that may also take a few weeks to start if you are not already claiming. If you are already receiving help your payments may go up whilst tax credits stops, then decrease again when tax credits is sorted. If not they may be able to give a discretionary payment under the circumstances.

I always found tax credits quite fast, though I haven't had a big change in circumstances before, but hope it is sorted quickly for you.

hollyh

I have nothing to return, have plenty of junk i can list on ebay though.

I do get housing benefit, not sure if that's going to stop as well. When i phoned them about the change in circumstances they just said they'd be in touch.

Indie_Kid

Have you posted this on the benefits board?

The council not DWP, now) should do some form of crisis loan for people in this type of situation.

hollyh

No I haven't posted on the benefits board, I might do that.

I don't qualify for the loans I checked.

techspec

You might struggle to get them again if you can't prove your putting the hours in - and it sounds like your both not.

claire16c

Dont you have to work a certain number of hours to get tax credits?

If you are on any other type of benefits you might be able to be referred to a food bank.

hollyh

We are both self employed, I work 30hrs + but most of the money goes back into growing the business. Dp is usually working full time but there's been no work since before Christmas.