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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be absolutely fucking fuming about tax credits!

92 replies

extremepie · 09/05/2014 12:54

Ok, to be fair it is in part, my own fault for not notifying them earlier, I understand that.

Just had a letter to say that my tax credits are being stopped because my ex and I have split up, fair enough, I forgot to notify them straight away because, funnily enough I had more pressing issues on my mind after my 8yr marriage broke apart and I had to basically give up my job and my whole life to look after my kids while ex fucked off to another part of the country.

Now they tell me it will be 5 weeks to get a new claim form issued and for them to process it. 5 fucking weeks before I receive another payment! Why does it take so fucking long! I asked if they can transfer my details over to a new claim on their system to save me filling it out all over again and taking 2 weeks just to receive the fucking form - apparently not.

What on earth am I supposed to do with no money for 5 weeks? Don't know don't care apparently - me & my 2 children, one of whom has a severe disability, are supposed to just sit in the dark and starve for over a month, including over half term. Fucks sake!

OP posts:
clare8allthepies · 09/05/2014 13:34

It is shit, but there's not much they can do about it. If you are going from a joint claim to a single one then the new claim can be taken over the phone BUT only if the change occurred within the last 3 months (or it might even be 1 month now, not sure) if it's more than that then there's no point calling back or asking for a supervisor as the new claims team won't be able to take the claim.
It doesn't necessarily mean it will take 5 weeks but they have to give you the timescales they have. The claim forms are automatically issued 2nd class so they have to tell you it can take up to 2 weeks to be received. Then the aim is to get new claims into payment within 3 weeks.
What I would do is call back to make sure your new claim pack has been issued and that your address is correct. If you make sure you fill in all the info and there is nothing incorrect or missing then your claim might not take as long to process.
I hope that it gets sorted out ASAP for you

PoundingTheStreets · 09/05/2014 13:35

The crisis fund scheme has been scrapped but in its place there is a Discretionary Fund run by local councils. It's not as well funded and as well known as the former, but it's available and because we're relatively soon into the new financial year, you might have more chance of success applying. Try ringing your local council for more information.

Really sorry you're in this situation.

To get food bank vouchers you need a referral. Depending on who you ask for the referral they may be able to help you with transport.

Best of luck with everything.

Musetta · 09/05/2014 13:35

Then why are you wasting money/credit phoning him if he is refusing to pay for his kids? I assume you have also contacted the Csa so they can start a claim to get money out of him?

Original poster
extremepie · 09/05/2014 13:36

I get a lot of taxis and buses Musetta :D That's what a lot of ds's DLA goes on :/

OP posts:
Musetta · 09/05/2014 13:37

Also if you have a disabled child then do you have any other support in place where you could look for help? eg-gp,social worker,hv?

Musetta · 09/05/2014 13:37

Has the Dla been stopped too?

ifyourehoppyandyouknowit · 09/05/2014 13:37

Can you contact Cornwall Carers? Sometimes carers centres have emergency funds you can access, or they can advocate on your behalf with other orgs or your energy suppliers etc/

Original poster
extremepie · 09/05/2014 13:40

Because the kids want to talk to him, I don't want them to miss out :( Fortunately he has unlimited minutes in his contract so he phones me and it doesn't cost any extra - he didn't have a job until a few weeks ago and I don't know his new address so didn't feel there was much point contacting CSa but I am in the process of sorting it now he is working!

OP posts:
TalkToFrank · 09/05/2014 13:41

Can't help much with the tax credits stuff I'm afraid, but if you need things printed the library prints for 10p, or an Internet cafe is usually about the same. Or if you're desperate, it might be worth asking at little one's school, certainly at my school if a parent was in desperate need to print something, we would let them.

HoldOnHoldOnSoldier · 09/05/2014 13:41

I had to start a new claim for tax credits in January, all my details and dc details were taken over the phone and there was money in my account within a week. They later sent out forms for me to sign etc.

Original poster
extremepie · 09/05/2014 13:43

That's a good idea hop along I will try that :)

DLA is still ongoing but it won't stretch very far when I have to use it to pay for everything :/

OP posts:
Musetta · 09/05/2014 13:45

Why do you not know where the father of your dcs is living?Confused

Original poster
extremepie · 09/05/2014 13:46

Because he's moved to another city 300 odd miles away and it living with another woman :/

OP posts:
Musetta · 09/05/2014 13:46

You don't have to pay for everything though-any non essential bills can be out off for a month. You only need to worry about food/heating and posters have suggested ways of getting help with both of them.

Musetta · 09/05/2014 13:46

All the more reason to contact the Csa today then.

Original poster
extremepie · 09/05/2014 13:53

Ok starting to calm down a bit now thank you for all your advice :)

OP posts:
Musetta · 09/05/2014 13:55

Don't forget to contact the Csa nowGrin

lowcarbforthewin · 09/05/2014 14:09

So sorry to hear this, it's an awful situation which no one should be put in. I really hope life improves for you soon.

Sallystyle · 09/05/2014 14:32

I feel for you.

I just got a notice of intent to seek possession of my house because housing benefit has taken three months to sort out my new benefit claim. I was there today and they told me it might take another few weeks as yet to sort out even though I have been told I have until the 19th to pay or off to court I go which I won't risk so I will probably end up in debt too.

I hope you get it sorted out soon OP.

OOAOML · 09/05/2014 14:32

Have you contacted your MP? They can sometimes miraculously get through tax credits bureaucracy. They might also know of local charities or trust funds you can try for help.

tripecity · 09/05/2014 16:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

IfNotNowThenWhen · 09/05/2014 16:09

OK, there is NO WAY you should be paying for his phone OP.
An i phone contract is not cheap. He needs to get a pay as you go. Call the mobile company and explain why you can't have this phone on your contract anymore.
He should pay for his kids, so I do hope you get the CSA on his arse and soon.
He should have sent you whatever he could towards the kids uniform, even if it was just a fiver. Anyway, stop treating him like a child who needs to be helped to speak to his kids. That's his choice, sadly.
I speak from experience of enabling a useless tosser Ex for 6 years, until I finally came to my senses. Feels good to lose 12 stone of extraneous bulk that was weighing me down!
And Holdon above agrees with me RE doing tax credits on the phone. It really does depend who you talk to. Don't be fobbed off.

wonderingsoul · 09/05/2014 16:19

you cast jusdt casdle moilwew cotrasct.. you hasvwe to uy your sdelf out of it.. plusd dsepesdsig o your pasckasge itsd aslot cheaspewr thas pay asd you go.

i would pay
food
remt
ele
gas
resdt cam wait

wonderingsoul · 09/05/2014 16:20

ok my keyoard is ot workig right

Twolumpsorone · 09/05/2014 16:27

We had this when Dp moved in, tax credits stopped and they said it would take 5 weeks. It took 3 weeks in all. Dp wasn't working at the time and I was self employed earning a pittance. It wasn't an easy 3 weeks, I had to borrow money off family, cancelled all non essential direct debits. Luckily I'd just done a food shop so we managed to eek it out. Child benefit went monthly because I was no longer a single parent so I didn't even have that. I thankfully managed to get a job but obviously had to wait until the end of the month to be paid.