To wonder if other people's tax credits have gone down loads

[pouffepants]

Just got my thingy back from them, which will need some deciphering at some point, but at first glance we seem to have a big drop.

There's a couple of reasons why this could be, but just wondering if rates have gone down loads, as a starting point for figuring it.

[qualitytoffee]

pom i'm sorry chick, i don't understand how it works, and your DH deserves better x

[PomBearWithAnOFRS]

We used to get £100 more in tax credits and fammily allowance than DH earned in a month (so £1100 credits and £998 wages) but now we get around £670 credits and family allowance and DH still only earns £998 :(
This is over the last 5 years-ish.
What really pissed us off though was everyone at his work got a payrise, and Dh's was less (ie he got 4p an hour rise ) because "he never works overtime" - well of course he bloody doesn't - a) he does his work during working hours instead of deliberately going slow to leave some needing doing on overtime, and b) whatever he earns in overtime this year counts as income next year so the TC drop even more but the overtime isn't guaranteed or constant so we lose out in a years time
It comes to something when working a 40 hour week in a bloody hard, manual, demanding, job doesn't pay enough to keep a home and family :( bitter and ranting? moi? noooooo no no no YES

[qualitytoffee]

(highfivespouffe)

[pouffepants]

Yes, thankyou as well, I also phoned this morning, and yes my son doing a-levels means he should still be on the claim. so they're going to be redoing it in september.

[qualitytoffee]

Well, i wouldn't have known, if it hadn't been for you where and the rest of you lot! xxx
I love here!

[Wereonourway]

Glad it's resolved quality!

[Bonkerz]

Mine actually went up by about £40 our income is £25k with 3 dcs

[qualitytoffee]

Thank you lovely ladies for giving me advice, i rang this morning, and after a very nice lady taking my details, (and giving off to me because i hadn't told them my son was in full time education), my ctc are going to be backdated, and put into my account!!
Thank you again xx

[ShirazSavedMySanity]

Not only have they stopped but we have been stung with a bill for £979. First installmwnt (of £467) I be paid in 30 days.

Seriously, which one of us do they want to stop eating so we an pay this back?

Pricks

[thismumismad]

tax credits helpline number is 02890538192.

[qualitytoffee]

Thank you again Where for all your help xxx
And everyone else xx

When or if i get my tax credits increased, i will throw a (virtual) party and you're all invited!!

[Wereonourway]

0345 3003900

That's the only number you can call. Very busy as I've said but will be worth the call if ds isn't down as being in education. It doesn't depend on course studied/qualifications so make sure you have name of course and qualification ready, they will not ask for college/school name.

There can be other reasons, mainly income, that payments reduce.

Hopefully this has identified something you may be missing out on!

[qualitytoffee]

I honestly didn't know any of this, so apologies if i come across as being stupid, i'm usually on the ball with bills and everything else, but tax credits, i take as gospel, because i send them all the right details...

[qualitytoffee]

Is there a number i can call?

[Wereonourway]

It means that tax credits would not class him as a child from 31st August last yr, unless you had informed them.

If this is the case and they do not have him down as "continuing with education" then your payments will be backdated to 1st sept, but pls specifically state it was 2012, that you hadn't realised you needed to call.

And you can call on a saturday 8am-4pm, you may still have a ten-fifteen minute wait to spk to someone but chances are its quiter than a weekday. And Mondays are by fr the busiest day to call.

Hope that helps

[qualitytoffee]

Were thank you too pet xx
He was 17 0n 9th Feb. Does that count?

[Wereonourway]

quality when was your ds 17?

[qualitytoffee]

Thank you so much lougle I really appreciate your help and going to all that trouble for me xx You are a star!

new thank you too lovely lady, i didn't know that! I'll get on the blower first thing Monday! xxx

[Wereonourway]

Hi there, you need to inform tax credits your dc is in full time non advanced education(ftnae) be armed with info about the course when you call. If said child has not been included since last sept you will receive backdated payment.

But do be aware of the following:
You will be paid automatically up to 31st August following hilds 16th birthday, it will continue if you inform them they are staying on in ftnae(provided course is "on their list" so to speak).

However(and I hope I can explain this) if you receive an award notice now, even if you have informed them of child continuing, it will only show child on award until 31/8/13, a new award will be generated on 1/9/13 to show changes.

As change is technically in future an award notice cannot be sent confirming it until the date it happens.

Oh and maintenance in any form is not included as income

[lougle]

If you are counted as having no children (ie. you haven't told them your DS is continuing in education) then you are entitled to nothing, according to turn2us, so that's probably what it is.

[minsmum]

You need to tell them they won't know you are still getting child benefit.

[NewAtThisMalarky]

No, you have to tell tax credits separately, strange but true.

[qualitytoffee]

I haven't told the tax credit people new, but i still get child benefit for him, because of him staying on. I thought thats all i should do? Sorry again, like i say i'm useless at this

[lougle]

Quality, you need to query it. I've just put your figures through turn2us and got:

"Period:06/04/2013-05/04/2014 yearly £ weekly £
Initial Tax Credit award for period: £4,070.20 £78.06
Working Tax Credit: £799.80 £15.34
Child Tax Credit: £3,270.40 £62.72

Final Tax Credit award for period: £4,070.20 £78.06
Working Tax Credit: £799.80 £15.34
Child Tax Credit award: £3,270.40 £62.72

[NewAtThisMalarky]

Have you told the tax credits people your child is staying on at school? You do get less for someone over 16, but you should still get something.