tax credits

123money

hi was wondering if anyone could advise me. during the year i recived a letter from tzx credit sayin i was underpaid. i rang them up they said if our payments stay the we would recive £400. as my income was less as i was on maternity.
i have phoned through figures and they have paid £200. i phoned them up and asked why we never recieved £400.the gentleman said it was because of an overpayment from another year,i explained ive never had an overpayment. he then checked an opligised.and said the extra 200 is added on the the next years payments.
but im confused as thats last years money? so why do i have to hav it spread out over next year?
it also puzzled me that he thinks i have ad an overpayment one year for £200 odd when i avent.
sorry 2 babble its jst im really confused. he said he will pass it over to someone higher to look at it aswell! but cudnt state how long it will take to sort out. hope they havent compltey messed my payment up for this year aswell!!! so stressful

fairplay4u

Hi 123money

Sorry I don't have much advice for you although I've just given tax credits my P60 earnings minus £3900 ( SMP ) so my earnings are less than I predicted. I give them info yestreday so as soon I know I'll let you know how I get on & if I get a lump sum.

Does anyone know how long the renewal process takes after they get income details? Could do with an extra few pounds ASAP :j

Take care x

woozywendy

I posted my renewal form on the 29/4/08 and a payment was put in my bank on the 7/5/08 ( what they owed us from april). On average between 7 and 10 days.

123money

yeah ad olnly half off the lump sum tho!! phoned up and they ae jst sayin they dnt understand it either, so they will pass it over to someone eles. so i guess ill jst av 2 wait n c. so annoyin tho.as u wud think if u rang tax credits helpline they wud be able 2 advise wat wrong or put you through 2 sum1 eles to help!!!!

[Deleted User]

It is a problem that usually doesnt occur - if there is a potential payment nd it it released after your declaration it should be paid in a lump sum but in a few cases it has been split between previous year and current year awards (usually most of it in the current year award).

The advise given by my customer support team is to make a complaint to the processing office as this is from the previous year award and shouldnt be paid in to the current year.

Kick up a fuss and if need be get your MP to make a complaint on your behalf if you get nowhere.

123money

arh thanks for your reply. howdo i complain to the processing office? can i ring them? its hard as when i ring then just say they aint sure wats wrong with it or the say its an overpayment from years ago,which ive never ad an overpayment. jst very confusing. thanks for your adivce tho

fairplay4u

Hi 123money

Said I would keep you updated, I've just checked my bank ac and have got £500 in total from both working & child tax credits. By my estimate I think I should have got around £900 because for 9 months I recieved £100 per month less than I should have been getting I awaiting the my new tax credit award so I'll know more once I get that.
£500 is a massive help and will clear 2 debts so in all fairness its better than nothing:T :T

Take care x

123money

arh thanks 4 ur reply fairplay4u

yea i spoke to tax credits advisor and she said i i was £400 underpaid so i recived £200 the other day and the other £200 is spread out over next year.i asked why butshe couldnt explain,and just said my award has been finalised so it cant be changed!!! jst think its unfair as it was money which was owed from previous tax year,cant understand why they have to add it on to this years award.

fairplay4u

Tax credits are a great way of increasing my income but the systems they use seem to be like a minefield and its us the customers who are left out in the cold unsure of what we're entitled to or not.

Its a nightmare!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've had overpayments (£1200 which I got on my 2nd award & rang up tax credits asking where they sure this money was mine b4 I spent it), underpayments, to be honest I'm of the opinion that if your lucky you get to speak to someone who knows the job its great but your more likely to speak to someone who was obviously sleeping when the training was given!!

Sorry rant over

Still think you should complain tho, doesn't seem right.

Take care x

123money

thanks4 ur reply.mite try n phone 2mo.mite gtthru2 a different advisor.see if the overpayment for last year can be paid. instead of geting it spread out over this tax year.thank4 ur help n advice