Complaint with HMRC

alison2875

I have been on working tax credit for 4 years I work and look after 5 children on 19 March my work stopped I am self employed I rang tax credits he told me to apply for universal credit I would get more help he didn’t say my tax credit would be cancelled and my money reduced by £82 per week and I would have no miner and have to borrow and be in debt I struggle now as pay Morgage when working if the adivisor had given me the correct advise I would still be on tax credit and my experience in lockdown would have not been as bad. My first week I was suicidal and my poor children have said my moods and crying have been bad. I have written 20 letters and now received a letter saying the advice I received was wrong and they have apologised but it’s not enough I have asked them to advise why I was told to apply for less money and no wages. Has this happened to anyone else thank you 

poppy12345

Unfortunately, when you claim UC you can't go back onto tax credits. I'm assuming you didn't use a benefits calculator before you applied for Universal Credit?

Are you entitled to the self employed grant in June? https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-a-grant-through-the-coronavirus-covid-19-self-employment-income-support-scheme

Council tax reduction can be claimed from your local council.

alison2875

No because he told me to apply so I just presumed I would get an extra £20 per week on top of my tax credits as I was worried about my income I didn’t really do any other investigations as the advisor gave me the advise.  Thank you 

poppy12345

They are not benefit advisers and without doing a full benefits check there's no way they would have known how much you were entitled to.