the dreaded compliance........tax credits

[wannabestressfree]

I know this has been done to death but I really need some advice please. I had a compliance letter on September 14th asking for all my childcare details for the last year including bank statements.My son went to breakfast club, after school, holiday club etc in his primary school [in fact they rang them every year to confirm the figures].

He went to secondary in September and I rang them in May [too soon] and July to confirm that he was leaving childcare and when. I was told tax credits where worked out yearly....... not to worry...... bla bla.....
I have tried to ring Belfast at least TEN times a day and they are constantly engaged. I work as a teacher and they are open office hours only.....

Its the 'we wil stop your tax credits' bit that worry me. We live pay cheque to pay cheque. I have to rent a 4 bed house as my eldest is severely mentally ill [some of you may remember my loooong thread] and that takes all my wages so I live on my tax credits. I also have a huge tumour behind my stoma at the mo....... this is really stressing me out.
So question......... is it enough to give the schools details so they can check childcare or do I need to download all my bank statements and? It will be reams....... will they stop my tax credits if its all there on time?

Any help will be appreciated........

[wannabestressfree]

Anyone..........

[NeedsAsockamnesty]

You need to send your bank statements but you can only have CC appear on them if you want so get counter payments showing every cc transaction not anything else (I'm assuming since lloyds can spdo this so can the others)

If you don't send exactly what they ask for they will stop your payments

[Weathergames]

You have my sympathies, they are wankers and when you do speak to them them the speak to you like you are a benefits cheat and its your job to prove you are not.

Good luck.

[wannabestressfree]

Oh great. Do I need to spek to them or can I just send my details. My speech isn't great at the mo due to the drugs I am on. Do you know how long it will all take? I am due to have surgery in October half term and am worrying......... is it worth seeing someone? eg Mp? Or just waiting.....

[LynetteScavo]

Ask the childcare providers to print out a copies of past bills for the last year (or however long they're asking for) and send that off, no need to send all your bank statements.

[NeedsAsockamnesty]

If your claim is correct don't fret. Just send everything they ask for. You can put a cover letter in if you want.

Top tip send all in one envelope and do it as signed for. They are prone to errors when more than one is sent and like to pretend you sent stuff ages after you did.

My understanding is they are running on about 5+ months to finalise a claim but the good news is their phone lines are open sat mornings and they do have a team working Sunday's

[LynetteScavo]

Sorry, just realised they've asked for bank statements

[NeedsAsockamnesty]

Lynette.

There are currently shit loads of cases being held in "quality control" at concentrix, cc opened may time ish still not finalised because claims were stopped in error due to not sending info the way they requested it awards still not finalised.

Pretty much someone assessing claims was doing the whole "no concrete proof of payment stop claim"

[wannabestressfree]

Thanks for the advice. I have found all the payment details on my account just need to print them off.
The office in Belfast is 8.30-5.00 mon to fri only on my letter. And constantly engaged.........

[wannabestressfree]

I really can't afford for my tax credits to be stopped. They have already sent a letter to me and halted any housing I get as I am allowed to cram at work..... work a lot over a few months ....... as I then get time off for surgery and treatment [work is really supportive]. I was told this was no issue due to tax credits being worked out over 12 months. I only do it so we can eat etc.........
I wish they went after my maintenance with as much gusto....... I am owed thousands......

[Purplepoodle]

I get compliance every year - lucky eh - twice a year this year . I had mine stopped last year as daycare forgot to send in their paperwork (wouldn't give it me so supposedly sent it direct).

I usually send in my bank statements - highlighted payments. Then statement invoices from each childcare provider.

Plus my own letter detailing costs.

Belfast office - certain staff work pt and no one covers their phones when they are off so they just ring engaged or not answered.

[Purplepoodle]

Oh and I send the paperwork in recorded delivery and phone to check they have received

[Purplepoodle]

You need to contact them if your not making the deadline as they will stop them if you havnt sent in by date requested

[wannabestressfree]

I intend to send it next day delivery so its there by the 14th as requested. Does anyone know what happens then? Its the stress that bothers me. Fear of the unknown. I am paid weekly so it would cripple me.

[NeedsAsockamnesty]

I'd your check direct by HMRC Belfast or concentrix on behalf of?

[fedupbutfine]

I went through this earlier in the year. It was slow but as long as you meet their deadline, there is no reason for them to stop your tax credits. I was out by about £70 (in my favour) for the year which they just took back on renewal. It took about 12 weeks for them to get back to me - I didn't chase it at all, just left them to it and it eventually appeared in the post. Please don't worry - just get the info together, copy it all and get a proof of postage receipt.

[wannabestressfree]

Thank you all....

[wannabestressfree]

I actually managed to speak to a nice lady there this morning first thing and she was lovely. Extended my time until the end of the month so I can sort out bank statements etc....

[HaveAWeeNap]

How did you get on Wanna? All sorted.
I've just spent hours reading your old threads - came across them whilst searching children's secure care. I'm in awe at your strength and how you've battled over the years.
Wishing you well.

[ExasperatedAlmostAlways]

We got this, mine just asked for exact figure I'd paid childcare in past year and proof. And how I had worked out the average. My childminder gave me an annual invoice broken down to each month then wrote please contact me if any other info is required.

I wrote down how I'd worked out the average. Sent it off and got back that it was all OK. I'd also stopped work before the letter and no longer used childminder, could I get through to the helpline to notify them. Not a chance in hell, was the month leading up to end of renewal date. So I wrote on the form that. And it was all okay. I'd renewed online though and updated the changes that way as soon as I got my pack.

[ExasperatedAlmostAlways]

I also sent next day recorded delivery. Also only took about three weeks to receive letter that everything was fine.

[DownstairsMixUp]

I feel for you. I had this back in 2011 and it's so stressful. I got statements printed off twice when I went to the bank and attached all receipts as well as copying them for my records. I paid the extra for special delivery to. Basically send everything you can think of because they are hopeless! I haven't claimed childcare costs since its bloody bother

[wannabestressfree]

Hi all. It (I think) is sorted. I sent everything off and they owed me money (strangely) my housing benefit was halved and then returned to normal....
All in all you never know if your coming or going....it's so stressful.
Weenap thank you for your kind words... I look back on that time in disbelief myself. I am not sure how I did it really. He still has his ups and downs eg has got and lost at least ten jobs this year and I think I probably have severe anxiety over the whole thing but he is still alive and he lives at home....
Thank you for reading x

[HaveAWeeNap]

Definitely a positive outcome though when things looked so bleak back in 2011. And all down to you endlessly pushing and supporting your DS.
It probably doesn't mean much but you should consider just how strong you have been when complete strangers are inspire by you years later.
(Sorry, I sound like a complete stalker weirdo )

[wannabestressfree]

If there is anything I can do to help message me .....:)