tax credits stopped, compliance letter received

bibliboo

I recently received a letter from b&c compliance saying my tax credits are under investigation and payments have stopped. The situation is bizarre to say the least, not just because of the amount of information they ask for. As well as ID of myself and family they ask for details such as attendance confirmation from my children's schools as well as their red NHS books.

Not only that, the letter clearly states that you must ring the number at the top if certain documents cannot be provided, however there is no answer on the number (you don't even get put on hold). I initially wondered as a result of this wether or not the letter was fraudulent. So I called the other, normal tax credits number to confirm if the payments have stopped, which they have. You can't even complain about this unprofessional manner in which they are handling this. The stress this is causing is unbelievable. I have around a month to send everything to them but my only option at the moment is to write to them and wait, I'm worried that this approach may go over the deadline. Anyone else been through this?

What on earth would my children's NHS books prove?

zagfles

Could a rival claim for your children have been put in by someone, eg ex partner who has shared care? It sounds like they suspect your children aren't living with you or you aren't the "main carer". Or that there's some ID fraud going on. Do you get child benefit, is that OK?

IME compliance rarely answer the phone, don't waste time trying, just write to them, signed for or registered post so you have proof of delivery.

kelpie35

i guess they are asking for these things as it is part of the system to catch people who are fraudulently claiming this type of benefit.

if you have nothing to hide, then don't worry.

you will get the tax credits reinstated.

skateykatey

The letter is pretty standard so I don't think that they have any particular concerns on your claim. HMRC compliance runs checks through a number of claims and tend to take a bit of a scattergun approach in that they ask for all details to be verified. It's a bit of an odd approach I agree but unfortunately one you should comply with for the quickest result.

Once verified your payments will be reinstated.

FBaby

OP, remember that they will do many checks. They didn't pick on you, your number came up. At this point, they know nothing about you and going through what is appropriate to ask in your circumstances rather than the next number that was pick would be too time consuming and a waste of their resources, so they ask everything of everyone.

I suppose the red books would show that the children do live in the country. Will not apply to you but might apply to the other person they have picked to do a check on. Just get all the information they ask, he can't be that difficult, and then you can forget about it.

Saying that, I don't understand why they would just stop the money whilst doing a random check, that doesn't sound fair not right.

gardenia101

OP - don't forget to make a copy of everything you send to them as government departments have so much paperwork that some invariably goes missing. The immunisation information in the Red Book should also be with the GP, but somehow all of those electronic records were lost/misfiled for one of my children & the only proof I had was what was recorded in the Red Book.

I hope you get it sorted out & reinstated quickly.

I didn't realise CTC could be stopped while an investigation was being done - that seems rather harsh as apart from CB, that could be the only money going into a household for day to day living expenses. I assumed the payments would continue & then be clawed back if it was found that the claimant wasn't entitled (not saying you're not entitled OP, just wondering at the system).

jason909

Either that or somebody very close has made a phone call and reported you.

bspm

The red NHS books would prove you have children.


How old are your children?

FBaby

Are you now living with your partner and children?

[Deleted User]

stroodes wrote: »

You can complain! get more hours or a better paying job as we all do

And because employers dislike paying more, how easy it is to keep a higher paid job?? how easy is it to fit a secondary job in without compromising the first?


Earning £12,740 for 35 hours, for a job someone is capable of far better than sitting in draconian times 2015 @ £14,500 with targets so far of the rictus scale you cannot meet so where an employer looks for every way to be rid to cull the staff bill - how is that for the confidence?


I lost 5 hours a week on my first day but this was so myself and all my colleagues included could keep our jobs I hope, in what is quiet times to the company.


For some, it's tough out there when you one up on being unemployed. I bet more jobs will go with the wage rises!!


I've been on £16,500 before now as the highest salary but never lasted, I managed 3 months and 5 days a piece - one was targeted in a dying industry and the other was a 'not compatible' situation, it happens, employers aren't forced to keep people on or give extra hours.


Sorry for going off debate but the instant get another job may not work.

duchy

Only an idiot or a troll would think it would <shrug>