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Original poster

Help with tax credits

69 replies

Mumto1girl3boys · 16/04/2020 13:45

Ive just logged on and saw that my renewal has been done automatically, payments significantly lower. I know tc is based on imcome from the previous year but the thing is my partner lost his job due to covid19 he does have a new job but the salary is ALOT less than his previous job. I have updated the estimated income for 20-21 are the payments likely to stay the same or will they be increased as he wont earn much this coming year?

OP posts:
Dhalandchips · 17/04/2020 13:07

Phew, it seems it was a one off...

Original poster
Mumto1girl3boys · 17/04/2020 13:09

Ive just spoke to hmrc on chat and the said due to the current situation 80% of claims are being done automatically this year

OP posts:
AnotherEmma · 17/04/2020 13:17

I advise you to contact your local Citizens Advice to request a benefit check and a "better off" calculation, to check your tax credit entitlement and to see whether you'd get more on Universal Credit.

We are still doing benefit checks by phone and email. You will need your income for 2019-20 and your predicted income for 2020-21, plus current monthly earnings.

As you know, the tax credit calculation is usually based on previous tax year's income and even when it changes significantly there is a weird way of calculating it which means the previous year's income is still taken into account. As a result, it can sometimes be better to claim UC as it's based on current income.

Original poster
Mumto1girl3boys · 17/04/2020 13:26

@AnotherEmma Thankyou I will have a look into that

OP posts:
SpideyMom · 17/04/2020 13:40

80 percent are being renewed automatically. I hope I'm not one of those as they know they ask for details of my pension contributions every year so I always earn less than what gets declares to HMRC

SpideyMom · 17/04/2020 13:49

I've just popped on chat. Even if it auto renews you still get your pack sent so are able to make adjustments. God I have renewals

SpideyMom · 17/04/2020 19:21

Well it didn't take long. My payments have gone down alot. And theres a message to say your payments have been revised, only contact us if you feel this is wrong, or something along those lines.it also says my renewal hasnt been posted yet so I cant even put it down to that. £9 a week childcare has been removed because he cant attend breakfast club, which is fair enough. Surely that cant make a difference of £170 a month?

Original poster
Mumto1girl3boys · 18/04/2020 10:17

My payments have gone back up again today thankgod!

OP posts:
CrazyPrepared · 18/04/2020 10:34

Just checked mine they have gone down by a considerable amount also have the same message about them being revised, will keep an eye on my account and my fingers crossed.

SpideyMom · 18/04/2020 12:01

I've got in touch and was told its because I've made a change. I said removing £9 a week childcare should not affect my tax credits like this when renewal hasnt even been generated yet. I've been asked to wait for my renewal to arrive

CrazyPrepared · 18/04/2020 12:20

I havnt made any changes, my income has also stayed the same, so frustrating that I rely on money that can change at any time with no notice.

SpideyMom · 18/04/2020 13:59

I totally agree @CrazyPrepared. Every renewal this happens for me. Bit I will never get use to it

OneMoment · 20/04/2020 10:51

Wow @SpideyMom that is a massive drop. Mine have dropped slightly but I was expecting them to go up Confused says just to wait for renewal and revised payments by the 18th May

SpideyMom · 20/04/2020 11:15

The drop doesn't make any sense to me at all. Unless it is linked to my pension contributions which I have to submit to them after renewal is issued. However they are saying my renewal hasn't been sent yet so I have no idea. She mentioned the childcare but I cant imagine it being that as it was only £9 a week.
My app also says from june I'm not getting any WTC however the agent over chat said this is an error on the app

Original poster
Mumto1girl3boys · 20/04/2020 11:45

@SpideyMom it says im not getting and ctc from june only wtc, so must be an error

OP posts:
AnotherEmma · 20/04/2020 11:57

If CTC is being stopped, this might be because of your child's age and education status. After they turn 16, they have to be in approved education or training. If your child is in this category, make sure you have told the tax credits office about it.

SpideyMom · 20/04/2020 12:23

My child is 5 and as far as I know I am still employed as I have been furloughed. Hoping it's just an app error but it hasnt updated in days for me

Original poster
Mumto1girl3boys · 20/04/2020 13:15

@AnotherEmma its nothing to do with my childs age

OP posts:
CrazyPrepared · 20/04/2020 17:46

I find the whole tax credits thing so confusing, no change on the app for me and it goes into my account on the 4th, has anybody seen the increase that the government bought in?

AlohaMolly · 20/04/2020 20:52

I’ve just checked mine now and still no change

CrazyPrepared · 20/04/2020 21:02

Seems like it’s a case of wait and see Confused

stickerqueen · 20/04/2020 21:32

I had a one off payment that was more than my normal payment and my payments will now be £3 more than they used to be

OneMoment · 22/04/2020 07:57

I've logged in today and it says it will be automatically renewed and to check when I receive my pack. Payments have gone down a couple of pound. I was expecting an increase.

AvoidingRealHumans · 22/04/2020 09:04

My payments went down randomly and then I had a one off payment yesterday. Going forward my payments have increased

Unworthie · 22/04/2020 10:11

, has anybody seen the increase that the government bought in?

I'm not sure if it's due to the government increase or because I earned less than estimated (I lost a lot of hours due to reduced business for Jan and Feb and then even more when Covid started before we were furloughed - 0 hours contract) but my payments have gone up about £6 a week. I checked my account online and the new increased amount is what I'm getting for as far as they show future payments.
My DC is 16, but will be continuing in ft education, and I have updated this.