Working Tax Credit stopped!

newlywed

There's a thread on the Old Style board that does a "Grocery Challenge" each month. You can set your own limit and then post to keep your totals so far. That way you can challenge yourself to say spend £10 less a month on your groceries and see how far you can cut it down.

There's lots of tips on there, especially if you read weezl's thread on Old Style -v- the USA challenge - she is surviving on £40 per MONTH feeding two adults. Bit extreme for me and OH would have a fit if I picked nettles and cooked them - but I've picked up lots of cheap recipe ideas and tips

[Deleted User]

Your award is normally based on your previous year earnings. Until 5th April this year it would have been based on your total earnings for 2006/07. When you update your earnings figures for 2007/08 this is when your award would have been re-calculated to state that your income is now too high.

teresacat

Just did the budget checker....
TOTAL MONTHLY EXPENDITURE TOTAL MONTHLY INCOME YOUR COLOUR "+" = Green / "-" = Red

And that's just with household bills & food!!!! As I'm really going to miss the wtc I shall follow your suggestions re nettles etc...lol.

Subsonic- I hope that doesn't mean they will expect repayment of last year's tax? I have had a statement to say that I don't owe anything back for 07/08.

teresacat

Just did the budget checker....
And I'm earning £46 a month less than I need!
And that's just with household bills & food!!!! As I'm really going to miss the wtc I shall follow your suggestions re nettles etc...lol.

Subsonic- I hope that doesn't mean they will expect repayment of last year's tax? I have had a statement to say that I don't owe anything back for 07/08.

G-G_4

Sorry to hear of your struggles.. Sounds like you are doing the best you can already..

Is there anyway to work extra hours? Or to get a better or full time job for you or OH? I'm guessing as you mentioned Cornwall, is there a shortage of jobs where you are?

I hope you find an answer, it doesn't seem right that everything costs so much now days!

x

teresacat

Hi G-G,
Yes, I'm trying (very trying!!)...lol.
Jobs are very difficult to come by down here, the wages are some of the lowest in the country while the water rates and council tax are one of the highest. The part time job I have is secure, so I'm loathe to give it up for something that may not be so secure as a lot of the work down here is seasonal only, plus businesses are going to the wall at a rate of knots at the moment. I'm currently looking into writing short stories for a bit of extra income, plus I do online surveys to get a few pennies.

[Deleted User]

teresacat wrote: »

Just did the budget checker....
TOTAL MONTHLY EXPENDITURE TOTAL MONTHLY INCOME YOUR COLOUR "+" = Green / "-" = Red

And that's just with household bills & food!!!! As I'm really going to miss the wtc I shall follow your suggestions re nettles etc...lol.

Subsonic- I hope that doesn't mean they will expect repayment of last year's tax? I have had a statement to say that I don't owe anything back for 07/08.

If your finalised award for 07/08 shows no overpayment then they are not expecting you to pay anything back for that year.

I will make you aware however, you may have an overpayment between 6th April and the date of your last payment. This overpayment will not be finalised until your complete your annual renewal declaration next year.

teresacat

Thanks for the peace of mind on that!
They have already said that they require £209 back for 08-09. Not sure how they came to that figure as tey have given me £230. Will have to get a payment plan though, as it has already gone to pay the council tax. Presume they do this.

Conor_3

teresacat wrote: »

Thanks guys for the info.
Would just like to make one point though- we bring home nothing like 23k sadly! My partner brings home approx £850 p/m and pays the £500 rent, petrol, CSA payment, c/c and one monthly debt payment. I take home £600 p/m and pay ALL bills, food, pet insurance etc.

You need to sort your financial life out then. £1400 a month is our family income INCLUDING tax credits. That clothes and feeds two adults and two kids and we don't really cut back on anything and the kids both get £25 a month each in their savings. Our mortgage is only £50 less than yours. Seriously you need to figure out where your money is going because there's something wrong somewhere. Post on the Debt Free Wannabees forum for some advice. You may find out that you're paying through the nose for a lot of stuff and can get it cheaper elsewhere. There's always money to be saved on gas/electric, car insurance, home insurance and internet/phones.

[Deleted User]

teresacat wrote: »

Thanks for the peace of mind on that!
They have already said that they require £209 back for 08-09. Not sure how they came to that figure as tey have given me £230. Will have to get a payment plan though, as it has already gone to pay the council tax. Presume they do this.

You can call 0845 302 1429 (Tax Credits Overpayment Helpline) to make an arrangement to pay it back. You can request up to 12 monthly payments without them having to go through a full income & expenditure with you.
Also please note that this helpline only deals with repayments and not disputes or reasons for overpayments.