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Original poster

Messed up tax credits, any advice much appreciated

53 replies

Namaste87 · 10/07/2024 20:10

Hi all I have just come across this website after frantically searching for days for advice in the hopes someone can help with some advice as I’m at a loss atm. I will try my best to explain my current situation as best as I can, I have been a lone parent for a number of years with 3 children and up until 2018 I received child tax credit and income support. Once my youngest daughter turned 5 in 2018 my income support too was stopped and after this I never received any guidance on what I should have moved to or claimed. I live with my mum and 3 children and look after my very sick mum and my son was diagnosed with autism in 2016 after a long wait for diagnosis which has prevented me from ever finding any work. I have got by on child tax credits as these always auto renewed and stupidly I never checked my rewards due to thinking not having any income would affect this as was based on children being in full time education which they are, I also thought that tax credits would know my income support ended as I assumed they were all part of the same department. Fast forward to present and I have my partner moving in been going through a traumatic couple of months and wanted to give things a try together so I update online my child tax credits to being in a couple, claim was ended and they sent out my provisional end notice I opened this to check and it still has me as receiving Income support which I’ve not had since 2018. I am now sick with worry at this and feel like there is no way out I’m unsure as I don’t seem to be getting any information CAB don’t seem to know etc. with all the changes to benefits and kids ages etc I am totally confused by it all. I guess I’m trying to find any advice if anyone has been through similar or if anyone knows anything regards this? Many thanks for listening and any advice offered

OP posts:
Original poster
Namaste87 · 10/07/2024 21:12

Sorry what is CA? Thanks for your reply they can deffinatley prove when my income support ended but I read somewhere with no income whether in wages or in a social security benefit that apparently not entitled to tax credits it seems to be very confusing

OP posts:
Original poster
Namaste87 · 10/07/2024 21:15

Thankyou very much can I ask how you found those I will look into them are they benefit advisors ?

OP posts:
Florencelatsy · 10/07/2024 21:21

I ended up going back to work full time with no real knowledge of how much I'd receive. Luckily I had a little bit of money behind me to help, I'm sure I was worse off for working 😂 I had issues with childcare payments as they were late actioning the increases which left me out of pocket. Also if I had a small salary increase this then lead to decrease in housing benefit and a knock on with all other benefits. They couldn't catch up in time (even though I actioned the changes straight away) I have found universal credit a godsend, it makes so much sense to have all areas linked and your income too.
It sounds like you should be entitled to much more, have you checked the online benefits calculators?

Original poster
Namaste87 · 10/07/2024 21:26

Florencelatsy · 10/07/2024 21:21

I ended up going back to work full time with no real knowledge of how much I'd receive. Luckily I had a little bit of money behind me to help, I'm sure I was worse off for working 😂 I had issues with childcare payments as they were late actioning the increases which left me out of pocket. Also if I had a small salary increase this then lead to decrease in housing benefit and a knock on with all other benefits. They couldn't catch up in time (even though I actioned the changes straight away) I have found universal credit a godsend, it makes so much sense to have all areas linked and your income too.
It sounds like you should be entitled to much more, have you checked the online benefits calculators?

Ah I’ve read a lot of issues with tax credits they really weren’t designed very well at all, now my partner has moved in he doesn’t wish to claim UC as he works but I think I may look into DLA for my son as I didn’t realise for autism this was something I could claim and I’m needed daily for my sons needs plus his school have reduced his timetable so that’s been a struggle

OP posts:
Thejackrussellsrule · 10/07/2024 21:32

Has your only income been child tax credit (not the working tax element) and child benefit?

If so, tax credits will be unconcerned about whether you were claiming income support or not.

Child Tax pays for children, income support for adults.

If your situation is still the same, you can either wait to get your migration letter for Universal Credit, or claim now.

Original poster
Namaste87 · 10/07/2024 21:33

YourSnugHazelTraybake · 10/07/2024 20:59

Op take a deep breath and try to stop panicking. When your income support ended in 2018 you would have been told you needed to reclaim either universal credit or jobseekers. For some reason you missed them telling you that so you didn't do it. Because you haven't had any other income you have remained entitled to child tax credits since that date. In fact you should have had more income , not less. You have not been overpaid, and you will not have to repay anything as you haven't made any false declarations and you haven't been overpaid. What you need to do now is make new claims with your current circumstances.

Thankyou for your reassuring words I will deffinatley now look into claiming for my sons autism I’m awaiting an echp with his high school recommended by them. Would I be better now telling tax credits of my mistake I’ve sent a letter explaining do you know what would happen from this ?

OP posts:
Florencelatsy · 10/07/2024 21:38

If you are not working, even if your partner is you may be eligible to apply for UC, definitely worth checking. Also look into DLA and carers allowance. You have done well to just survive on tax credits all this time. I'm definitely a worrier and would feel the same as you, it might be worth calling just to say you've put something in the post and they can put a note on your account. Always take names, dates times of call, and log when you sent the letter.... learnt the hard way you need to do this to protect yourself! Good luck with everything 😊

Thejackrussellsrule · 10/07/2024 21:43

Get an application for DLA started, it'll take approx 20 weeks to sort, so don't wait for an EHCP, just get the form in and send the EHCP when you get it.

Starlightstarbright3 · 10/07/2024 21:55

Not read all the replies …. Look at claiming Dla for your Ds … you can then claim carers allowance for yourself if he gets at least middle rate care

Original poster
Namaste87 · 10/07/2024 21:57

ml3jp · 10/07/2024 21:01

There’s no issue! And yes common scenario, seen all the time. We usually deal with much less innocuous failure to reports. This one will not generate an overpayment

Edited

Thankyou that is a relief, can I ask what I would b ever doing regards letting tax credits know as currently my claim has now ended and I’m not going to move to UC I don’t think

OP posts:
Original poster
Namaste87 · 10/07/2024 22:07

Thejackrussellsrule · 10/07/2024 21:32

Has your only income been child tax credit (not the working tax element) and child benefit?

If so, tax credits will be unconcerned about whether you were claiming income support or not.

Child Tax pays for children, income support for adults.

If your situation is still the same, you can either wait to get your migration letter for Universal Credit, or claim now.

Thankyou for your advice yes just child tax and child benefit is what I received my claim I’ve ended as my circumstances changed so this ended my child tax claim

OP posts:
Original poster
Namaste87 · 10/07/2024 22:10

Thejackrussellsrule · 10/07/2024 21:43

Get an application for DLA started, it'll take approx 20 weeks to sort, so don't wait for an EHCP, just get the form in and send the EHCP when you get it.

I will sort this soon just bit concerned as not paid national insurance for years and worry I wouldn’t be entitled to carers as to dwp I last received income support in 2018 so there’s a bit of a big gap of me not receiving any income would they question this do you know ?

OP posts:
Original poster
Namaste87 · 10/07/2024 22:17

Florencelatsy · 10/07/2024 21:38

If you are not working, even if your partner is you may be eligible to apply for UC, definitely worth checking. Also look into DLA and carers allowance. You have done well to just survive on tax credits all this time. I'm definitely a worrier and would feel the same as you, it might be worth calling just to say you've put something in the post and they can put a note on your account. Always take names, dates times of call, and log when you sent the letter.... learnt the hard way you need to do this to protect yourself! Good luck with everything 😊

Edited

Thankyou so much I appreciate this, feel a bit stupid for letting it get this long without noticing or checking I was lucky my children’s dad was good in supporting them and making up any loss to my income support, wish I’d known sooner I could have made a claim to support me being out of work to look after my mum and son. I wrote a letter as I’m so anxious to even explain over the phone so thought maybe a letter would explain it all better I think I send another just to be double safe as phone lines are mega busy and I don’t fancy waiting in the call ques

OP posts:
DragonFly98 · 10/07/2024 22:33

Do you claim child benefit for an under 13 year old as that pays your NI?

Original poster
Namaste87 · 11/07/2024 07:27

DragonFly98 · 10/07/2024 22:33

Do you claim child benefit for an under 13 year old as that pays your NI?

Hi yes my youngest is 10 Would Dla not wonder why I am down as receiving income support if I’ve not received this in those years ?

OP posts:
Original poster
Namaste87 · 11/07/2024 09:05

Thejackrussellsrule · 10/07/2024 21:32

Has your only income been child tax credit (not the working tax element) and child benefit?

If so, tax credits will be unconcerned about whether you were claiming income support or not.

Child Tax pays for children, income support for adults.

If your situation is still the same, you can either wait to get your migration letter for Universal Credit, or claim now.

Hi yes, would it not affect anything if been so long as in my case since 2018 ? Thanks for your reply

OP posts:
Thejackrussellsrule · 11/07/2024 11:04

DLA do not look at your income or National insurance contributions, it's purely based on your child's needs. Please don't delay applying, you'll only be missing out on income.

Tax Credits also will mot be concerned that you're not receiving income support, they would only be concerned if you received other income such as wages or other taxable benefits (such as carer's Allowance). You've actually missed out on income so you won't be in any trouble.

Original poster
Namaste87 · 11/07/2024 12:29

Thejackrussellsrule · 11/07/2024 11:04

DLA do not look at your income or National insurance contributions, it's purely based on your child's needs. Please don't delay applying, you'll only be missing out on income.

Tax Credits also will mot be concerned that you're not receiving income support, they would only be concerned if you received other income such as wages or other taxable benefits (such as carer's Allowance). You've actually missed out on income so you won't be in any trouble.

Thankyou so much this really eases my worries I’ve had my end of claim and have an amount I owe which be he unpaid after I cancelled my claim due to my change of circumstances but on this it mentions I get income support and to let them know if I no longer receive this and also that they will calculate what I fully owe in April 2025 I’m unsure now of what to do as I didn’t receive income support for the period 2018-until now so surely I wouldn’t owe anything other than the payment they made after my circumstances changed ?

OP posts:
Original poster
Namaste87 · 12/07/2024 07:57

Sorry it’s me again, does anyone know what would be beet for me to do moving forward I’ve written to HMRC hoping they receive the letter. I’m terrified in April 2025 they’re going to write to me with overpayment etc and wonder why I’ve not told them of not being on income support for all this time . Will they need proof bank etc?

OP posts:
Thejackrussellsrule · 12/07/2024 09:30

If you're worried, I would ring them today and just get it sorted.

Original poster
Namaste87 · 12/07/2024 09:43

Thejackrussellsrule · 12/07/2024 09:30

If you're worried, I would ring them today and just get it sorted.

Thanks I’ve tried a few times but been on hold for a long time I’ve sent a letter and will send another, did speak to HMRC online who said that income support doesn’t affect child tax credits so hoping this is correct suppose ok have to wait until they write back or update any overpayments

OP posts:
ml3jp · 12/07/2024 12:33

If you’ve moved onto UC, your finalisation of 24/25 is now - not next April. It’s a process known as in year finalisation. You won’t get shc

ml3jp · 12/07/2024 12:34

An April 2025 finalisation. It’s happening now.

Original poster
Namaste87 · 17/07/2024 14:22

ml3jp · 12/07/2024 12:33

If you’ve moved onto UC, your finalisation of 24/25 is now - not next April. It’s a process known as in year finalisation. You won’t get shc

Thanks I haven’t moved into Uc I changed my circumstances which ended my child tax claim and decided not to move to UC

OP posts:
Tiny19944 · 26/07/2024 23:46

Hello, in a similar boat I'm a single mom of 4 kids, 3 of them have Autism and I claimed income support, carers allowance and child tax credit before moving to UC. I phoned up today about a backpack for my son who was awarded in time frame of child tax credit. I was told by a lady from child tax credit that I didn't inform them of claiming carers allowance in 2022. Which I feel I did because income support new and deducted it out my income support. Know I'm stressing out over it all.