Tax credits

[Jennybee4]

Last year my DH passed away from cancer and left behind my 2 beautiful sons and myself. I was working part time and he was on sick from having treatment. We were claiming tax credits both working and child and never seemed to have an issue. When dh passed last June I called tax credits to inform them, they told me that I would still get child tax credits but my wtc would stop after 4 weeks ( I had to stop work to look after my boys). I got my last payment of wtc in the first week of August but then a week later I noticed I had received nothing...not even ctc. I called them up and they said I would have to set up a new claim because it has all been ceased. I did that the same day, got new forms and sent them back to HMRC. In the meantime Income Support have been paying every 2 weeks of £146.60. 6 months later I still haven’t received anymore ctc. My boys are 5 and 7 so definitely eligible. Every time I call them they keep telling me they don’t understand why it’s not being paid. I’m now desperate for help. I have to keep going to food banks as some weeks it’s either rent or food and will always go without to make sure my boys get fed. I get child benefit every week of £34 but DWP say I’m not eligible for anything else. How can a widowed mother of 2 live on less than £400 a month with rent to pay, bills and food to get? I have so many sleepless nights because my children can’t do what other kids are doing. Does anyone have any advice?
BTW I am claiming Housing benefit but still have to put £22 a fortnight towards it. I have also put in complaints with HMRC. It just seems wrong for this to be the case? Am I the only one going through this?

Did you ever claim Bereavement support payments? if your DH died after April 6th last year you should have got a lump sum payment and 12 months of around £350 per month ? It may not be too late to claim this.

Also you should be getting child tax credits alongside your income support - you need to ring and demand some action or speak to your MP as this really isn't right that they are taking so long to sort it out. Sorry to read what you are going through.

The number to call regarding the Bereavement Support payments is 08007310469

What about widow’s allowance.
I am sorry for everything you have been through but have you considered a job?

Bereavement support payments took over from Widowed parents allowance in April 2017, so it would depend when op's husband died. I don't know if there is a time limit on either of these benefits if you don't claim for them soon after bereavement. The BSP has a reasonable lump sum ( I think around 3k) initially but then only lasts for 12 months, it is not as generous as Widowed parents allowance which lasted until the youngest child turned 18.

Thank you for all your responses. That is actually the first time I’ve heard about bereavement payments. Not even the DWP has mentioned it. Should I call them and explain and tell them I wasn’t aware of it?

Yes definately call them as I think you woukd have been eligible I 'm just not sure whether there is a time limit on still claiming them . It is definately worth a try as the lump sum especially would make a big difference to you. Hope you manage to get sorted.

Also I have been looking for work since January but despite the news saying there are more jobs than there are people I’m still struggling. I found a job cleaning for 16 hours a week which would have brought in £110 but my income support would have stopped and housing benefit would have been reduced by an additional £42 per week. I would be £27 a week worse off

Thank you I will definitely call them on Monday and hopefully I’ll be able to get an answer. Unfortunately because my dh was only 39 he didn’t think about life insurance or anything like that but it soon makes you realise that it’s worth it

Do you have a law centre near you? When this happened with clients, a letter before action to hmrc tc solicitor worked a treat.

Even though your working tax credits stopped when you stopped working your child tax credits absolutely should not have. You need to ring them again and if you have no joy seek help from citizens advice or your local Mp. Dont worry too much about getting a job for now unless you absolutely want to. Bereavement support payments are there to help widowed parents for the first year whilst you are newly bereaved and helping your children come to terms with the loss of their dad. I'm so sorry that on top of your bereavement you are worrying about money too.

I think you need to go to your MP who should be able to get a quick result but Citizens' Advice Bureau could probably help too. You should be getting that money and it should be back dated. I hope you get it sorted.

Yes contact your MP - try emailing - they have a hotline through to HMRC and will be able to sort something by threats if necessary.

What area of the country are you in- eg your local council, it might be that universal credit has replaced wtc and tc. If your area has gone live, reporting what they class as a ‘change of circumstances’ closes your claim. You should have been told this though if that’s the case. Do you have any support- some housing associations have support workers who can help advise and support dwp claims if your renting social housing?