Concentrix say I'm not single

Jayneair

I'm going to appeal, but in the meantime I have no income at all. I'm faced with a huge bill with 30'days to pay, concentrix are threatening that at anytime hmrc can prosecute those who we "find out" and now I will lose my jsa. I will only have my dla to live off as thankfully it's not reliant on concentrix

Jayneair

Topcat1982 wrote: »

Ah, I don't see why they have a problem with that. He used the correct address for the credit check and the bill goes to the daughter.

I would definitely appeal, send photocopies of all the bills/letters to his new address

Their was also an insurance policy included with the phone, that was another point (it was a bundle so not separate) but becasue my daughter isn't 18 they said it was either a phone for me, or him, in which case we were financially linked and they had all the "evidence" they need.

Never mind that he is on a council tax bill elsewhere, that his business is registered and pays tax from the same address. My health is such at present I don't know if I have the fight left in me
I had a rude call from them today asking how much were in my accounts and that to avoid prosecution I should pay everyhting I have as a goodwill gesture. (Leaving me nothing to live off)

Alice_Holt

Are any of your children in receipt of DLA?
If so, at what rate?

If not, and if they have care needs because of their disabilites, is it worth considering a claim?

I'm just wondering if a benefit check / discussion at your local CAB may identify anything that might help increase your income whilst you appeal the TC decision.


I'm afraid that what follows is rather a lot of info - but it could be helpful if suspension / reduction of your current TC award would cause Financial Hardship
From http://revenuebenefits.org.uk/tax-credits/guidance/how-to-deal-with-hmrc/dealing-with-debt/

"Financial hardship in ongoing recovery cases

In certain circumstances, HMRC will agree to reduce the recovery percentages further, or collect an overpayment over a longer period, or write off an overpayment altogether if the claimant is experiencing particular financial hardship.

Any financial hardship in ongoing recovery cases is dealt with by the Tax Credit Office. The first step is for the claimant to contact the tax credit helpline (0345 300 3900) to ask that the recovery percentage is reduced or the overpayment is written off on hardship grounds. The helpline should refer the case to the Tax Credit Office who will make a decision on whether the recovery rate can be varied.

If the claimant receives the family element only, HMRC will not normally adjust the rate of recovery. Nor will they do so if the overpayment was caused by deliberate fraud or error.

If a decision on hardship is required, TCO will pass the case to Debt Management and Banking (DMB) who will contact the claimant to check what is affordable. Once this information has been gathered, HMRC will decide whether to vary the recovery rate or remit (either fully or partially) the overpayment. The criteria used to determine this will be the same as that for direct recovery (see section 4.4 below). Once a decision has been made by DMB, they will inform TCO who will write to the claimant.

If advisers have all of the relevant information collected, they can write to the Tax Credit Office, Preston, PR1 4AT to make a request in writing.

Financial hardship

The information in this section applies to both direct and ongoing recovery cases. Some claimants will not be able to afford to make any repayments to HMRC or will only be able to offer less than £10 per month. If that is the case, there are two potential options available. The first involves getting HMRC to suspend recovery of the overpayment until the financial situation improves or, in cases where there is unlikely to be any improvement in the claimant’s financial situation, the second option is to ask HMRC to write off the debt on financial hardship grounds.

Prior to March 2010, HMRC’s policy on financial hardship was practically non-existent. It was unclear to advisers when HMRC would write off overpayments on grounds of financial hardship and very few claimants were successful when requesting this. In addition, there was no clear process for such requests which meant they were often left for months with a back office team with whom neither advisers nor claimants could make any contact.

Since March 2010, DMB has revised its approach to the recovery of tax credit overpayment debt, which includes a much clearer policy on financial hardship and also more clarity around how this should be requested.

Claimants who are unemployed with no assets or savings

In such cases, HMRC should suspend recovery for 12 months. At the end of that period, the case should be reviewed and if there is no likelihood that circumstances will improve, consideration should be given to writing off the overpayment or, at the very least, suspending it for a further 12 months. If circumstances have improved, HMRC will seek a time to pay arrangement (see above for more details).

Claimant unable to meet living expenses

In situations where a claimant cannot meet essential living expenses such as water, gas and electricity, they should request that the overpayment recovery be suspended until their circumstances improve. Where there is no likelihood that this will happen, a request for the overpayment to be written off on financial hardship grounds should be made. In our experience this is most likely to succeed where evidence of their current situation is given to HMRC.

Financial hardship process

The above information regarding financial hardship applies to both direct recovery and ongoing recovery cases.

The process for those subject to ongoing recovery is outlined in section 4.3 above.

For those in the direct recovery process, DMB are tasked with recovering the debt and it is with them that initial contact should be made to discuss financial hardship. Specifically claimants or their advisers should contact the Debt Management Telephone Centre (DMTC) (0845 366 1206) and the case should then be referred to a Debt Technical Officer. The DTO should then assess the case based on the information received or by contacting the claimant for further information. Any letter sent to the claimant should include a phone number for the DTO dealing with the case. The claimant should be informed by letter of the outcome, regardless of whether the decision is to temporarily suspend recovery or to write off the overpayment in full.

If DMTC refuse to consider hardship or make a referral to a DTO, the HMRC intermediaries guidance should be quoted and a complaint made."

Jayneair

I'm awaiting renewal of my eldests dla, my youngest was turned down (after 4 years high rate) as apparently her condition was better...but that's another thread. My eldest dla really does pay for her extra needs though, so that's spoken for. I expect I could claim carers allowance but any jsa overpayment will be deducted not leaving much.

Jayneair

Thank you for that information. I was informed no reduction of overpayments will be considered where it was considered that I didn't tell them the truth (even though I did)
It amusing if I had claimed jointly, I would have been entitled to a much higher award.
Should I contact the dwp? Or wait for them to contact me?

Alice_Holt

Jayneair wrote: »

I have told them I no longer get tax credits, althou they did say they would be informed of any claim ending. My main concern is surely if I'm not deemed single for tax credits and they believe I wasn't last year, then surely the same applies re jsa.
I haven't received anything from dwp yet. Also if they want me to do a joint claim with someone in another relationship who lives some 250 miles away then I won't be entitled to jsa either?

As you are claiming JSa as a single person, and receiving the single (not the higher couple) rate, I would not think it would stop.

You mentioned you were in receipt of DLA - are you getting a disability premium added to your JSa?

I really think you should go to your local CAB - see if you can get a referral to a caseworker to help with the Tax Credits appeal.

Jayneair

Yes I'm claiming jsa as single, but if the tax credits are now saying I was not single in 2015 surely I will have to not have been single for my jsa claim? (If I was to have claimed as a couple I wouldn't be entitled as my ex works although I don't know his salary I'm assuming I would get nil)
Should I send the hmrc letter to the council so I can repay council tax benefit? I'm unsure if they inform engine or I do. I'm trying to limit the destruction really. And trying to work out how to raise 2 children on dla and no maintainance.

I appreciate all the help

Alice_Holt

If you can claim carers allowance because your eldest is in receipt of Middle (or High) rate DLA Care component, that is worth doing. It may also enable you to claim Income Support (rather than JSa) because of your caring responsibilies.
I am assuming that as a single parent with 2 disabled children meeting the JSa claimant committment could be difficult for you?

It sounds like it could be worth considering re-applying for DLA for your youngest.
Unless their health condition has dramatically improved going from High rate to nothing is unusual.

Alice_Holt

The DWP and HMRC have different decision processes, it will not neccessarily follow that the DWP would come to the same conclusion as HMRC - especially if you supply them with the evidence that you were single.

I would make your council aware of the change in your income - because your tax credit income has reduced this may increase CTs & HB.

Jayneair

Alice_Holt wrote: »

If you can claim carers allowance because your eldest is in receipt of Middle (or High) rate DLA Care component, that is worth doing. It may also enable you to claim Income Support (rather than JSa) because of your caring responsibilies.
I am assuming that as a single parent with 2 disabled children meeting the JSa claimant committment could be difficult for you?

It sounds like it could be worth considering re-applying for DLA for your youngest.
Unless their health condition has dramatically improved going from High rate to nothing is unusual.

I was going through the concentrix nightmare when she was turned down and didn't appeal, so I think I would need to make a new claim. I will ring carers allowance tomorrow and see if I qualify ( my other child gets high rate care so I think I will) don't think I would be eligible for income support if I'm not classed as single so I will avoid that route until I have appealed the tax credits decision.

Thanks again