AIBU?
Ghostlife · 25/06/2015 21:20
I phoned HMRC in Feb to ask if I would still get child tax credits if my son took up the offer of a scholarship in a non - EU country. I was told I would. I need the child tax credits to pay towards his food a lodgings. I have now been told I have to wait 22 days for a reply which means he will lose his school place...
indieblack · 25/06/2015 21:20
Yes. The Parliamentary and Health Ombudsman
www.ombudsman.org.uk/
You need to have exhausted the HMRC complaints process first but they take on lots of tax complaints.
yellowcurtains · 25/06/2015 21:22
Only God.
HMRC are a law unto themselves. You know- they can take money from people's accounts, even by mistake, and the onus is on the citizen to prove the error and claim back the money. I really don't think you'll be entitled to a quicker reply from the tax credit people, going by what I have read in the past on MN.
SwedishEdith · 25/06/2015 21:37
What country is it - can you say?
Info here but you've probably read it
Ghostlife · 25/06/2015 22:02
Not an EEA country unfortunately. Am I unreasonable to expect them to give me an answer straight away instead of putting my son at the end of the pile and therefore having to wait 22 days considering we are in this position due to wrong advice from an HMRC employee in February?
ghostyslovesheep · 25/06/2015 22:15
maybe cut back elsewhere to pay food and lodging?
why will he loose the place in 22 days - just explain to the school
you may not have been given the wrong information - it's a PITTA but if you can't afford for him to go he can do the IB here for free x
olgaga · 25/06/2015 22:22
Yes I would write to your MP, outline the problem and ask for an urgent meeting with her/him or their caseworker.
Make sure you have an indexed copy of all relevant documentation to hand over.
Speak to your bank about getting an overdraft if necessary to tide you over.
These things ate never resolved quickly, in addition HMRC staff have been significantly reduced.
Ghostlife · 25/06/2015 22:37
Unfortunately I cannot get any more money together as money for flight was a struggle. After the conversation in February I became committed and I have had to borrow the money for the first terms food and lodging contribution.
What I am most upset about is the incorrect information and their refusal to try to put this right in time. They have a note on my file that I contacted them in February.
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