We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.

This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
The Forum now has a brand new text editor, adding a bunch of handy features to use when creating posts. Read more in our how-to guide
We're aware that some users are currently experiencing errors on the Forum. Our tech team is working to resolve the issue. Thanks for your patience.

Child tax credits - how much longer for proof

Happygreen
Happygreen Posts: 2,949 Forumite
Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
in Benefits & tax credits
My daughter is turning 16 and I have phoned the tax credits people up in May to tell them that she will be staying on at school. I have not heard anything since, then wrote a letter 3 weeks ago to say theat I need proof of her entitlement to apply for school meals and her education maintenance allowance. Dealines are very near for both, school holidays close to end and still nothing. When I phone they have this horrible robot who never understands what I need, refers me to the wrong place (review) and then says "we are busy" and hangs up after an infuriating time where I've been trying to get to speak to a person like the first time I called. I'm at my wits end and very worried that I miss the deadlines for the Council applications if this letter doesn't show up in the next few days....
First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, and then you win - Gandhi

Comments

  • pmlindyloo
    pmlindyloo Posts: 13,104 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Happygreen wrote: »
    My daughter is turning 16 and I have phoned the tax credits people up in May to tell them that she will be staying on at school. I have not heard anything since, then wrote a letter 3 weeks ago to say theat I need proof of her entitlement to apply for school meals and her education maintenance allowance. Dealines are very near for both, school holidays close to end and still nothing. When I phone they have this horrible robot who never understands what I need, refers me to the wrong place (review) and then says "we are busy" and hangs up after an infuriating time where I've been trying to get to speak to a person like the first time I called. I'm at my wits end and very worried that I miss the deadlines for the Council applications if this letter doesn't show up in the next few days....

    Have you checked what evidence is needed? I believe that for an application for EMA you have to produce your tax credits award letter for 2013/2014. Is it the same for free school meals?
  • dave030445
    dave030445 Posts: 1,001 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Combo Breaker
    pmlindyloo wrote: »
    Have you checked what evidence is needed? I believe that for an application for EMA you have to produce your tax credits award letter for 2013/2014. Is it the same for free school meals?

    I believe for free school dinners they check online via your NI number to see if you qualify.
  • Horseunderwater
    Horseunderwater Posts: 3,406 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Did EMA not stop 2 years plus back now? The college/6th form should have discretionary bursaries though if you are on any income related benefits.
  • pmlindyloo
    pmlindyloo Posts: 13,104 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Horseunderwater wrote: »
    Did EMA not stop 2 years plus back now? The college/6th form should have discretionary bursaries though if you are on any income related benefits.

    From past threads OP is in Scotland where EMA is still available:

    https://www.gov.uk/education-maintenance-allowance-ema
  • Happygreen
    Happygreen Posts: 2,949 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    dave030445 wrote: »
    I believe for free school dinners they check online via your NI number to see if you qualify.

    not here, I have to show CTC and CB letters
    First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, and then you win - Gandhi
  • Happygreen
    Happygreen Posts: 2,949 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    pmlindyloo wrote: »
    From past threads OP is in Scotland where EMA is still available:

    https://www.gov.uk/education-maintenance-allowance-ema

    yes, I meant to say, we are in Scotland
    First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, and then you win - Gandhi
  • dave030445
    dave030445 Posts: 1,001 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Combo Breaker
    Happygreen wrote: »
    not here, I have to show CTC and CB letters

    you will probably catch up in a year or 2:rotfl:
This discussion has been closed.
★ ★ ★ Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 354.5K Banking & Borrowing
  • 254.4K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 455.4K Spending & Discounts
  • 247.4K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 604.2K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 178.5K Life & Family
  • 261.6K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.7K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.
Update Your Picture