Child Tax Credit... Bailiffs

[Dad29]

Hi,

In August 2017, my wife and I were contacted by HMRC and they requested to see evidence of my 3 year old sons birth, as they suddenly didn’t believe he was alive and they don’t believe he was living with us (as stated on the letter). This was a very strange request as at the same time they were paying for his 30 hours free at nursery and we have never given them any reason to believe he wasn’t living with us. Long story short they stopped paying us tax credits for a year and they requested lots of evidence, each time we sent the evidence they either couldn’t find it or they would say its not sufficient. We have asked them countless times what I sufficient evidence and each time they’ve said there not able to tell us. They once said they couldn’t find his passport we had sent them but when we sent them a copy of the Royal Mail signed and tracked receipt the passport mysteriously reappeared. They asked for an invoice from my sons nursery covering the previous 12 months which was strange as they were already paying for his 30 hours free and im not sure how this proves he’s living with us. However, we got a signed and stamped invoice and sent it to HMRC but again they said this is insufficient evidence but again not able to tell us what is. I have the conversations with HMRC recorded on my phone which clearly shows there advises don’t have a clue what there talking about and just want to fob us off.

We received a letter from HMRC which advised to they were giving us X time to appeal or they would send the case to debt collectors. I phoned HMRC as I had previously sent in information they had requested and it was clear they hadn’t yet looked at it. I was advised by the adviser to not do anything in regards to the letter as he can see on his screen the team had received the evidence I sent but hadn’t yet looked at it, they will look at the evidence and then respond (I have this conversation recorded). The advisor said the letter was sent out in mistake. I did as I was advised and didn’t do anything, a few week later a letter from the debt collectors arrived at my house.

They have now forwarded the case to debt collectors who are chasing us for £7,000.

This whole thing seems like a set-up from beginning to end, every piece of evidence we’ve sent has been ignored and im still not sure why they ever thought he wasn’t living with us.

We would appreciate any advise?

Not had any direct experience, but friend had a similar experience where one of her daughters was living with her ex partner, she then came back to the family home, but tax credits and child benefit would not believe her, it was very drawn out but in the end she had to get her mp involved as they weren’t listening and she finally received the money for her daughter, took in all about 11 months though.
Can you try and see if your mp can help, failing that, CAB or get advice from a solicitor(most offer 1/2 hr/1hr free consultation)

Oh and write to the debt collectors and state that as the account is in dispute you will not be making any payments. They cannot force you too or take action whilst the account is in dispute.

The one and only time I needed the help of CTC and WTC it was a nightmare, touch wood I’ve not had the need of help for the last ten years. Anyhoo I put everything I had into an email with a covering letter to my MP for help. Within 4 days it was all sorted, apologies and back payments received so I’d recommend that.

Write to a National Newspaper - this seems to get action

Hi guys,

Thanks for all your advise, I thought I would give an update which might be able to help others.

I got in touch with the Parlimentary Ombudsmen and the put me in touch with my local MP, who has since contacted HMRC. The bailiffs have been put on hold and HMRC are now looking into the case to get it resolved. The moment my MP got involved HMRC started to take it serious, so hopefully this shall all get rectified shortly.

Regards,
Dad29