HMRC messed up and are now uncontactable

triggstoke

Hi I need some help and advise. Today I received a letter from HMRC saying they were stopping my working tax credits because ive made a claim for universal credit, however I haven't. Up until the beginning of February I was in receipt of ESA as I am disabled and was unable to work, however I managed to find an employer that was ok with me having to see my different doctors and consultants a lot and he gave me a job for 24 hours a week fixing cameras. This meant that my esa was stopped but as I had the severe disablement premium as part of my esa I wasn't allowed to claim universal credit to top up my wages so had to apply separately for working tax credits. this was approved. Obviously with covid-19 work stopped as of the 24th March although I am just furloughed as with the employee retention scheme will hopeful still be getting paid. Anyway as I said previously ive now received this letter and there seems nothing im able to do about it as HMRC wont accept phone calls. what can I do as im now getting very low of funds and who knows howlong its going to be until the government scheme actually kicks in.

poppy12345

I don't understand why you've had that letter when you haven't applied for UC. Are you 100% sure you haven't recently applied?

JessicaF_2

That is very odd thing to happen - have you claimed anything at all recently?
Jess

sheramber

What have you done for money since work stopped on 24 March?

triggstoke

Definitely not applied, on the 24th I phoned them to check if I'd be eligible for any help but as I said previously because of the previous severe disability premium from the esa I wasn't eligible i was also told that because i was expecting a wage i wouldn't get anything anyway so there was no point in applying. I got partially paid my wages for march up until the 23rd when work stopped, I also receive pip so I have been making do with that and trying to spend as little as possible. However the next tax credit payment was due in three days time and without knowing when or if the next lot of wages are coming this leaves me with very little breathing room.

JessicaF_2

triggstoke said:

Definitely not applied, on the 24th I phoned them to check if I'd be eligible for any help but as I said previously because of the previous severe disability premium from the esa I wasn't eligible i was also told that because i was expecting a wage i wouldn't get anything anyway so there was no point in applying. I got partially paid my wages for march up until the 23rd when work stopped, I also receive pip so I have been making do with that and trying to spend as little as possible. However the next tax credit payment was due in three days time and without knowing when or if the next lot of wages are coming this leaves me with very little breathing room.

Does the letter from HMRC say what date they are stopping the tax credits from? Does that coincide with the phone call? (Usually UC is claimed online, i'm just wondering if it could explain anything). You didn't use an online 'calculator' (have seen people do that before and not realise it is the UC claim) by any chance?
Unfortunately all you can do is keep trying HMRC and see if you can find out from them about the claim and explain that you didn't apply for UC. 

Margaret_100

As a back up you could also consider writing to HMRC, keep a copy and send by registered or recorded delivery this at least will give you proof and may actually end up on someone’s desk especially if you cannot get through on the phone. 

sheramber

 try calling sharp at 8AM  or a few minutes before

Opening times:

Our phone line opening hours have temporarily changed to:

Monday to Friday: 8am to 4pm

This is due to having fewer advisers available to answer calls because of the measures put in place to stop the spread of coronavirus.

.........................Best time to call:

Phone lines are usually less busy Tuesday to Thursday from 8.30am to 10.30am and 2pm to 4pm.

micky2phones

Hi, if you do as Margaret post said you will have a dated written letter should the claim be needed to be back dated.
Also maybe put you mind at ease a little knowing you have done all you can and still phone them if you do get to speak with someone have a copy of your sent letter to hand.