Massive £10300 error on tax credit income by HMRC

[Delucas]

Hi all, newbie here and first post, so if this has been covered or is in the wrong place, please forgive me!
I've been living on £0.76 of working tax credit since last November after my maternity finished and recently spoke to Tax Credits because I've been forced to lose my full time job as I couldn't afford the transport, childcare etc on what I was being given.
To my horror, find out they've "made a small mistake" to quote them, and had me down as earning 18500 while on maternity ( I wish!! Smp was a third of this) instead of £8200! Anyone know what my underpayments would be? When it's likely to be paid? I'm guessing it'll arrive after I've already lost my job!
Baffles me after they say they want to keep people in work yet their error has actually cost me my job!
Help pls! Thanks in advance xx

delucas
write to your MP (email) - they will get it sorted for you PDQ

The best way to find out what you should have got would be to put your details through a couple of benefit calculators and see what they say.

Oh god that's horrendous. I feel so upset for you.
I hate tax credits. Unfortunately I rely on them but the fear of the telling me I've been overpaid every year always causes me anxiety. I just find it funny how even though they've made the mistake it's considered 'small'. I'd be kicking off as now without a job won't that trigger a move to UC or Lose your WTC?

This really is horrendous and I hope you get it sorted but surely you considered the costs of childcare etc before having a child?
So now you have no job, no tax credits? Is your partner/baby’s father not able to contribute towards childcare costs