Trying to cancel CTC

muppetscotland

We had a failed business last year and Child Tax Credits were a life saver.

Fortunately my husband now has a new job, overseas, and we no longer need CTC.

Phoned them today and tried to cancel and it was a nightmare. They said they couldn't just stop them, had to wait for a letter in May. When I then explained that my husband is abroad working the person I spoke with got all official and said it would need to be escalated and someone would phone me. I felt like I'd done something wrong when all I want to do is say "thank you so much for the safety net, thankfully we no longer need it".

Can anyone please advise what I should do now? I've been told to expect a call but I am not sure I'll be in the UK to receive it and they wouldn't take an overseas number.

Thank you

Oakdene

You will continue to receive payments until your yearly review comes through in the post. Put any payments you receive aside & when your review pack comes through, call them (though it's nigh on impossible to get through) or complete & return online/post. You will then get a final decision where I would assume they will ask for the monies paid to you since April back, you then pay it back.

muppetscotland

Oakdene wrote: »

You will continue to receive payments until your yearly review comes through in the post. Put any payments you receive aside & when your review pack comes through, call them (though it's nigh on impossible to get through) or complete & return online/post. You will then get a final decision where I would assume they will ask for the monies paid to you since April back, you then pay it back.

Thank you Oakdene: Can I also ask, when the letter comes is that the opportunity to check if the figures are correct for previous tax year as well? We both earned very little last year due to business failure, were on income support for a few months then I got a part time job. I am just keen to ensure everything is put to rights before we are owe them too much. Meantime I will keep their payments aside as you suggest.. . It just seems daft that they can't stop the payments rather than me having to return them....

Icequeen99

Oakdene wrote: »

You will continue to receive payments until your yearly review comes through in the post. Put any payments you receive aside & when your review pack comes through, call them (though it's nigh on impossible to get through) or complete & return online/post. You will then get a final decision where I would assume they will ask for the monies paid to you since April back, you then pay it back.

This isn't necessarily correct. If circumstances change then they should action them now, not at review time.

OP - how long as your husband gone overseas for? Is it more than 8 weeks?

IQ

Darksparkle

If he's abroad, it's not as simple as them just ending your claim, it needs to be referred to someone at tax credit office as it depends where he is working, how long he is away etc.

https://www.gov.uk/tax-credits-if-moving-country-or-travelling/going-abroad-temporarily

muppetscotland

He's going to be away for at least 2 years, all.being well. Me and kids will join. Just want to stop the benefot being paid asap so I can close account here and stop worrying about it.

Icequeen99

muppetscotland wrote: »

He's going to be away for at least 2 years, all.being well. Me and kids will join. Just want to stop the benefot being paid asap so I can close account here and stop worrying about it.

Depending on where he has gone and what is happening, it may be that you they need to terminate your claim from the day he left as you can no longer claim as a couple (if you wanted to continue you would have to make a single claim). You need to follow this up as otherwise anything received from when he left could be an overpayment.

IQ