Child Tax Credits - advice please

mariat

I was employed and claiming Child Tax credits until 30th April this year. As I was a single parent I also received help with my daughters child care costs. I married on the 8th May abroad, and moved in with my husband on our return to Britain on the 14th May. Prior to going I tried to inform CTC of the imminent changes, but was told that they couldn't record this info until after the event. I again informed them as soon as we got back. I gave up my job to relocate after my marriage and also took my daughter out of child care, both these ended on 30th April.
Today I have received a letter from CTC saying that i was overpaid. This was explained to me when I called their help line, but I have now been told that as I am now married I need to make a joint claim, and that they will base it on last years earning of myself and my husband, even though we didn't live together and neither did he contribute to my or my daughters costs then. How can this be correct? And, if they do take his earning into consideration, will they claim that I have been overpaid again? At the moment I am unemployed (not claiming benefits). Is it even worth me looking for work? I tried to ask the advisor about all this, but all she kept saying was "Fill in the joint claim forms" - very unhelpful.

mariat

Thank you for your reply that really helps.

With regards to the working comment I just feel frustrated by the extremely unhelpful advisor and the thought of having to go through this again when circumstances change again, I am expecting my second child in six months so I would only be working for a short period and have to renew the claim all over again.