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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think I have really messed up!!!

71 replies

ohIamshafted · 01/03/2011 12:29

So shitting myself. I have given up my job. Returned to work after maternity leave for a few months but it was impossible...have 4 kids, job needed me to travel regularly, was on anti depressants by the end, had no money anyway.

I gave up work in the belief after doing online benefits calculator that based on DH's salary I would receive tax credits of about £300 per month (he earns about 28k).

However I've now looked at the claim pack, it seems that they base your claim on last year's income rather than current - obviously I had a income last year - does that mean I'll get nothing till this time next year?

Please can someone advise.

OP posts:
BringOnTheGoat · 01/03/2011 13:46

I recently applied for TC and my income last year was much higher than this year. TC people told me to fill in the application form and wait for award letter. They advised me to call back once I had recieved the letter and inform them of my new estimated income. When I called, they recalculated my award there and then, they wrote out to me with the new award based on this year's income. was very straight forward.

AlicesWonderland · 01/03/2011 13:49

when we do ours by phone at renewel we have to tell them what dh (self emplyed) earned this year (Ap 10 - Ap11) and mine, and then we are asked to predict what we will earn Ap 11 - Ap12

So with us if dh say earnt less 2010-2011 than I predicted we would get the difference if there was one added on to this years award, Or deducted if we'd underestimated his earnings...does that make sense? Grin

At the minute it looks like Dh may be out of work for a while and have to claim JSA so we would call them and tell them of a change of circs and the tax credits would be changed accordingly, although according to the online calculator my wage would not count as I work under 16 hours a week...which sucks as it means we aren't entitled to Working tax credit....but we would get roughly the same in Child tax credits..how very Confused

last year our combined earnings were £28 roughly and we get £340 a month we have three kids

hth

harassedinherpants · 01/03/2011 13:51

My dh is self employed and work (and payment Hmm) a bit sporadic, so we do his based on the current year. You really do have to keep on top of it though so you don't get a nasty shock!

eileenslightlytotheleft · 01/03/2011 13:53

I am always changing my estimated income because I am freelance and it fluctuates - would second BringontheGoat's advice.

Balsam · 01/03/2011 13:55

What BringontheGoat said. You fill in the form based on last year's income, they make you an award. Then you ring up and tell them your circs have changed and they make you a new award.

TotemPole · 01/03/2011 13:57

OP maybe you could get DLA instead. I assume if you're on anti depressents it wouldn't be a problem getting a doctors letter.

vj32 · 01/03/2011 13:59

Don't forget that whatever you get NOW it will change in April anyway when the cuts come in - so be careful not to rely on it too much.

BubbleBobble · 01/03/2011 15:24

Definitely what BringontheGoat said - I've done this, plus I used to work in tax credits many moons ago.

Diablo82 · 01/03/2011 15:47

Why is lexi's comment hideous? OP had an income and thought she would have an easier life paid on benefits. What a shame that not working is incentivised in this way.

needafootmassage · 01/03/2011 15:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LineRunner · 01/03/2011 15:53

Again, listen to BringontheGoat! Speak to the Tax Credit helpline and explain your family's current income situation, and ask to be assessed on this. Loads of people do it.

JohnBovi · 01/03/2011 15:54

I agree - listen to the goat!

JohnBovi · 01/03/2011 15:55

And needafootmassage.

altinkum · 01/03/2011 15:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Rannaldini · 01/03/2011 15:59

totem

getting dla isn't as simple as just getting a doctor's letter
you do know that don't you?

Diablo82 · 01/03/2011 16:09

Depression related to work does not mean you can get DLA!! Why do people think that if they don't want to work (which is your choice to make) that the state should provide handouts or DLA?

leximark · 01/03/2011 16:23

I'm sorry if you think I am in idiotBUT
the OP has just returned to work after another child.

She has either had long term depression - if so why get pregnant again if you are struggling with your health.
OR
She recently has got depresion (maybe PND I don't know)in which case she need support to get right again. With the help of a doctor she could have got her employer to have a look at reduced working hours until she recovers.
She could have seen if she could have a voluntary reduction in hours, she could have seen if she could have been signed off sick

BUT NO the OP sees if she is better off on benefits, decides she is without getting official advice and then complains.

Madness.

I understand and am sympatheic to depression but I think the OP has gone about this arse over tit tbh.
I know you are saying she is a tax payer but she is not now is she!

VodkawithRosie · 01/03/2011 16:34

Leximark. Her husband works, they are as a family, taxpayers. Does your statement mean you feel that BOTH parents should work and being a SAHM is invalid?

leximark · 01/03/2011 16:41

I have no problem with SAHM

What Ihave a problem with is half baked ideas that go tits up and then people moaning about it.

She should have got valid advice if she wanted to know how much money she was entitled to get.

As it is clear money was on issue perhaps she should have explored other options to make her job easier BEFORE quitting.,
Also everybody knows that benefits are going to be cut further (Not saying I agree with that at all - just what is happening) so what is current now is not going to the same six months down the line when the cuts are getting hold.

Deciduousblonde · 01/03/2011 16:42

The OP doesn't see that she is better off on benefits. This is about CTC, which a huge number of families recieve. Some get the basic amount (£10 per week) others get more.

It's like Child Benefit. Not as if she has given up work and going on Income Support. To be honest I wouldn't care if she did that either, as no doubt the pair of them have paid a shedload of dosh into a system which won't be giving them much back..

PigValentine · 01/03/2011 16:44

How do you know she didn't explore other options to make her job easier? The OP mentions needing to travel - there are some jobs where this can be eliminated or reduced, and others where it can't.

leximark · 01/03/2011 16:46

But the point is she has assumed she will get money. Didn't check proply or explore options and now got herself in a mess.
Genius!

compo · 01/03/2011 16:47

It will be giving them loads back - in pensions, schools, nhs, all the things we all pay taxes for, no?
I'd have stayed at work, got signed off with depression and then hopefully returned to work at some point

VodkawithRosie · 01/03/2011 16:57

Is the view nice from up there?

leximark · 01/03/2011 17:01

Yep sure is!!