award notice - how long to wait?

nedden

I have filled in my renewal for Working Tax Credits and Child Tax credits in May. When I telephoned to enquire where my award notice is I was told that there was an error with my application and it would not create an award notice and my application would have to be dealt with at head office where it would be manually checked.

The person that I spoke to said that this was an error on the Inland Revenue's part and not mine and payments would continue...... however I need a copy of my award notice to claim a discount on a school trip that I have to pay for - I will not get the discount without this years award notice.

My question is, how long will I have to wait for "head office" to check my application, At first I was told six weeks and then when I rang the other day the girl said "this looks like we've really messed this claim up, I can't give you a definate timescale"

Any ideas???

Fran

Perhaps ask them to put in writing that you will be entitled to something... as it's their fault that you haven't received the award. What about proof of receipt of Tax Credits.. are you prepared to let school see part of your bank statement? (Though it shouldn't come to this... won't school take your word for it if you explain? You could use last year's notice?)

nedden

hello, thank you for your reply,

They can't "generate" anything except the award notice and on my application the system won't generate it as strictly speaking I havn't got an award this year, they are just paying me the same as they paid me last year so that I at least I am not without money (which is great, otherwise I would be really struggling)

The school is clear it must be the current years award as they have to send a copy of it off to (somewhere!?) to validate the discount given.

I will ask about me showing them my bank statements, but I feel they are unlikly to accept this as they were clear that they need proof of the actual award.