To think HMRC would inform us about changes to tax credits

[noisytoys]

I saw this morning from various sources (FB, a thread in money) that tax credits have been reduced for a lot of people with no notice. I checked my tax credits which went in today and lo and behold, £94 every 4 weeks reduction. There is no more I can cut. I can't afford to live now. I thought I would put this here for traffic because I fear millions of people will affected

[wannabedomesticgoddess]

Oh I know. A key thing I left out is

The government should be responsible and honest. Instead of a bunch of self centred, greedy bastards.

[PariahHairy]

Our tax credits appear to be the same. I used to stress about debts etc, now I just ignore.

They have even stopped hassling us, lets face it if countries can be in so much debt, my personal tally is nothing.

[Cornflaketart]

After reading this thread, I just checked my bank, tax credit has gone down by £100 a week

I don't know why. No letter about it.

I currently get DLA for neuro disorder.
My three teenagers still have Autism, and still get DLA.
Nothing at all has changed. Except we will be getting 5k less per year.

[lougle]

I checked my account with trepidation, but mine has gone up slightly and matches my award letter from last year's renewal.

Does anyone feel comfortable to post their circumstances, so we can see if there is a pattern? I'll start:

couple with 3 children, one 'severely disabled' by HMRC definition.
DH earns approx £10k, I get carers allowance of £3k. combined tax credits around £270 per week.

Quick note -usual MN rules notwithstanding, thus is not an invitation for posters who disagree with tax credits to come along and have a pop.

[AnitaManeater]

You need to check the last award notice you received from tax credits. On the final page of all awards it states the amount that you will receive from the start of the financial year (6th April). The payments from 6th April until you submit your tax credits renewal form are all provisional.

It's only going to get worse when Universal Credit comes in.

[nkf]

They should tell you in advance. It's not fair otherwise.

[BlackAffronted]

Mine have gone up £2 a week.

[lougle]

It doesn't make sense. The HMRC site confirms the information in the link I posted upthread. There is no cut in tax credits this year, apart from a lowered disregard to £5000 from £10000, and a modest increase in some other elements. The only thing that would change the award is a change in income/circumstance.

[YesIamYourSisterInLaw]

My situations similar to foxys and I have lost around £32 a week with no warning.

[Svrider]

YANBU
We not only have had our tax credits stopped, we've even got to pay some back for some reason
Our income has been the same for 4.5 years
We have informed HMRC every time we have had any changes, but no we still owe them money
Sorry you are in this position

[wannabedomesticgoddess]

Do you think they are reverting to UC rates now so that when UC does come in that "discretionary" payment that was promised to ensure no one was worse off is actually worth nothing?

Or should I get my tinfoil out?

[lougle]

Can't be that, wannabe, because the rates are set in legislation. They can't change it without telling you. Even the council has had to change my council tax to 9 installments because they missed the deadline two week notice period for a variation.

[wannabedomesticgoddess]

Do you know when the UC rates are being published?

Isnt one area already trialing it? Surely rates have been set?

But yes, I see what you mean. Still dont get why some people are losing so much though.

[Groovee]

If I recall correctly, when you renew, you normally get a lump sum of a higher payment, then a weekly/monthly payment until March, then in April it goes down until you renew again.

[minicreamegg]

Does anyone know when Universal Credit starts for everyone, will we need to sign-on every 2 weeks to receive tax credits ? Universal Credit is really confusing me

[Szeli]

lougle as the sole earner I get a second adult award for my partner so I assumed foxy's would be the same. I think it's because when I'm at work he's not entitled to jsa so we get an extra lump from that.

That's what it's listed as on my awards letter anyways xx

[mrsscoob]

Do you have an overpayment you are paying back? I called last week to report a minor change in circumstances and then I noticed my tax credits payments had gone down. When I rang I was told it was not to do with my change in circumstances it was because they had decided that I must start paying back more of an overpayment I had from a previous award. I had no letter or any idea that this was going to happen. The girl I spoke to on the phone said that with universal credit coming in next year they are trying to get as much of the money owed through over payments back in as possible before it starts. Hence why my repayment was changed.

[lougle]

http://www.welfarereform.net/universal-credit-rates-20132014/ link here to universal credit rates not sure how accurate they are?

[Moodykat]

My tax credits have gone down £67 a week apparently because I started work last year so my 2012/2013 income was more than 2011/2012. They knew that would be the case. I have always kept them fully informed. Now it seems I must stop work for a year to get more again. After childcare I would be better off staying at home. What is the point?! Like others, I had no warning of this happening. This post probably barely makes sense but I am so cross!

[M0naLisa]

My child tax stays the same but we have just updated employment details and WTC is a lot lower to what it used to be. We used to get near enough to £80per week in WTC and now we get just over £50 per week.

[lougle]

£80 per week WTC is high, M0naLisa. DH gets £30 per week and we have 3 children, one disabled and an income of £13k.

[LooseyMy]

The next year's payments are on the bottom of your award letter. Read your paperwork properly.

[dribbleface]

The whole system is so confusing, I thought mine would stop this year, called to confirm, they paid a one off and they are continuing. May be the disregard thing.

I consider myself to be reasonably intelligent but cannot make head nor tail of it.

[Moodykat]

Thanks Loosey.
I know it is on there. However I have misplaced it and am sure that actually it didn't show this much of a reduction as I would've panicked about it at the time.
But again, thanks.

[Darkesteyes]

wannaBe i saw in my twitter feed this afternoon that MP Jo Swinson is calling for interns to be paid the minimum wage so she ended up getting tweets asking why cant it be the same for workfare.

Bloody too right.