Tax Credits have just given me £890 - why could this be?

[muminthecity]

I did my renewal over the phone a few days ago, and today they transferred £890 into my account. I know this has happened to lots of people before and they've ended up having to pay it all back, so I definitely won't be spending it, just in case! I've tried phoning but I just keep getting a recorded message telling me to phone back after 31st July.

What could the reason be for this? I don't think they've been underpaying me and my circumstances haven't changed recently, although my income for 2009/10 was a good bit lower than 2008/09. Has this happened to anyone else? I'm trying not to get my hopes up, and keep telling myself it must be some sort of mistake, but it's hard because £890 would make such a massive difference to my life right now!

It will be yours to keep. We just received a similar lump sum too. You must have been underpaid this year and this is what they owe you. Enjoy!

They are a nightmare. There's a post about them sticking 1200 into someone's account and the OP doesn't know what to do with it either. It will be a revised amount, they probably owe you this.

You may have been paid on the previous years estimate which you say was higher, and your income for the year just gone was lower so you would have been underpaid hence the payment, you should get a renewal award notice in the post. Enjoy the bonus its your money.

So it could actually be my money then?! Wow, if it is then DD is going to have the best summer ever! Thank you for the advice.

Same here. They underpaid, based on last year's earnings. Enjoy!