aibu to ask about tax credits?

[operaha]

I will try and keep it concise.
Partner moved in very late August. I phoned tax credits and within a couple of weeks I got a form to fill in, I filled it in and sent it back before say the 21st of Sept (I do have all this info written down somwhere).
Left it a couple of weeks, phoned, told it hadnt been three weeks so to phone back when it had been if I hadnt heard from them.
So I did. Never received anything apparently. But they would investigate - will take up to three weeks (!!) and someone will be in touch.
Nothing.
Phoned after three weeks - no we cant find your forms - we will send more. Waited 10 days - phoned again - oh it can take 2 weeks to receive the forms so we cant send another one yet. (VVV rude woman)
Form didnt show up so phone again after two weeks - yes we will send you another now.
I think then after a week or so on the 4th December the form showed up.
I had it in the post (recorded delivery) the next morning.
Hear nothing so phone up on the 23rd.
Cant tell you anything until three weeks after received form - so I have phoned today.
Surprisingly, they have no record of my form (but it was signed for) and he will mark my case as urgent (yawn) and get back to me within three weeks!!
Oh and they will only backdate 31 days - but I sent the forms in on time in the first place!
AIBU to think that I have done all my bits on time and they are big meanies and none of this is my fault and Im a bit skint and have tried to be honest and Im just at the end of my tether now.

And more to the point does anyone have any suggestions? I am writing a letter of complaint based on the unreasonable delays and way Ive been spoken to (just on one occasion) but I just wanted to know if there is a secret phone number to the tax credit god that I dont know about

You could try and give them the info over the phone. I did this and it sorted within a week!

Argue the toss with them for backdating to August!!! They will have all of the phone records at least to prove that you were continuously following up your claim. They should backdate from your claim date. However, if they don't, you will likely get a bump on next years TC as the amount you would have qualified for this year (once they do the final calculation from p60 after April) will be lower than what you actually received.
The only thing I can think you might be able to do is to find the 'casework' number which directs you straight through to a member of staff. It is actually the department that assigns a caseworker to claims where this is possible fraud, claim complications etc But they seem to know a bit more in that dept.
Good luck OP

They told me there was no way of taking the info over the phone?!
I can't believe I have to wait another 3 weeks, just can't. August will be over 4 months ago then.

Contact your local MP and explain everything and see if they can help?

Backdate what though? Surely if partner moved in with you your tax credits will stay the same (if he's off sick or out of work) or be less if he's working as your award is based on household income? I think different if one of you is a carer/higher rate for children?

There is a poster who is often on money section I think works or used to work for tax credits (Lougle I think??) may be worth posting their for an ask??

Their?? There!!

Do you have proof you called them? Mobile phone bill maybe? It might be useful to have this if you can.

I haven't had any money at all since August so yes it is less but it's still something! Yes I have made all calls on mobile.

But won't you get what you are entitled to from August as your circumstances have changed for the better (higher household income)?
Surely you have already been receiving tax credits before your partner moved in?
I know they won't backdate if your entitlement goes up but I worked expect yours is going down.
I'm all confused.

X posted.
Why haven't you had any money since August?

I agree with inthedarkaboutfashion

Is it because they stopped your single claim in August and you are waiting for them to process your joint claim?

So they treating the change as a new claim?

They are useless fuckwits and the system is a pile of wank! I had pretty much the exact situation and didn't get a payment go 12 weeks. They will backdate to when your single claim ended though

Joint claims are classed as new rather than a chagr of circumstance so your old claim is cancelled and you have to wait for the new joint claim to be processed. It sucks, especially as you have to still feed your kids and pay the bills

The same has happened to me OP, but slightly different circumstances.
They actually closed down my account and have to reopen, I too have been waiting for a reknewal pack since end of August.

You will get the same amount of money though, even though its frustrating. Your monthly payments will take into consideration what you haven't been paid for this tax year and your award will be adjusted accordingly, if this makes sense.
They told me they don't back date or pay in one large sum, but add it on monthly.

The sooner we abolish tax credits the better.

Maybe Ian Duncan Smith should have spent money trying to fix the current system that is a sham, rather than wasting billions on a new system that imo is going to be a bigger sham!!

Completely agree coldwater

I hope they don't abolish tax credits FlowerFairy UC is going to be far worse.

I have tried getting through to them for two days to order a form. No joy yet. Their telephone system is crap

Why will Universal credit be worse? can't be worse than the current tax credits shambles surely?

I think the rules are far worse Babyroobs

Don't you both have to be working too, and the hours and pay can be impossible for some small businesses and self employed.

Most parents did not used to get anything and instead employers paid wages the market requires. Now the state supports low wages by making benefits claimants of many of those in work. It is not a better system now. It is worse.