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Original poster

Where are people with their tax credits renewal?

92 replies

SpideyMom · 17/05/2020 14:56

Hiya.

Am just wondering where people are in the process with their renewals?

My pack came pretty fast this year which was a relief as my payments dropped significantly due to me having to provide them details. I did this and got my reference number to say it had been submitted. Over 2 weeks later I received a text message to say my renewal has been received and will take 8 weeks to complete.

I then got onto chat to ask if they required me to send in proof of my contributions and was told I had to wait for them. So I guess I'm going to be down in my TCs for some time.

Has anyone elses renewal gone through quickly when giving different details to those in the renewal pack?

TIA x

OP posts:
BatCrazyCat · 17/05/2020 18:26

Mine was autorenewal and payments have been changed and gone up already.

RedHelenB · 17/05/2020 20:20

Auto renewal so all good.

Original poster
SpideyMom · 17/05/2020 20:41

Mine autorenewed but went down because of my NEST pension contributions. Last year I had to wait 5 months for them to rectify

OP posts:
Squeekybummum · 17/05/2020 20:46

Yeah mine auto renewed aswel and has gone up £100 which is a bonus at this moment in time.

purpleme12 · 17/05/2020 20:47

Last year I sent mine in early cos I got the pack early but they still didn't deal with it till after the cut off date anyway

Original poster
SpideyMom · 17/05/2020 20:56

Same as mine then. Its probably going to be the same this year then

OP posts:
Totallycluelessoverhere · 18/05/2020 07:34

I sent my figures in about 3 weeks ago and it hasn’t been updated yet. They have cut our payments in half because of the pension contributions which I needed to provide them with In order for our payments to be correct. I really wish they wouldn’t auto renew cases where they have previously had to change the income figure due to pension contributions because it causes financially difficult for the claimant whilst they are waiting for the figures to be amended. They have said Up to 8 weeks For processing the renewal but no doubt it will be longer as they will write to me for evidence of the pension contributions.

Chasingsquirrels · 18/05/2020 07:46

I was on your thread about this last year!

My renewal came thought about 2 weeks ago, I can't do it yet as still waiting for 2 pieces of info.

Then a few days later I got a letter reducing my provisional award to nil for both 19/20 and 20/21 so no more payments.

I phoned and spoke to someone, explained I couldn't complete the renewal yet but that the figures were wrong because of pension contributions and he just amended to 20-21 income estimate on the phone and it showed up on the app with tax credits due again the next day.

Chasingsquirrels · 18/05/2020 07:48

Oh, and last year they just processed my renewal without asking for proof of contributions.
The previous year, which was my first, they did ask for documented proof.

Original poster
SpideyMom · 18/05/2020 08:38

Hi @chasingsquirrels. Yes I remember. We had such a bad time last year with it didn't we.

I sent in all my proof last year. They confirmed they had had it, and then they hadn't. And then one day I had a message to say I hadn't renewed so my
payments were stopped. I got straight on the phone and the agent did it there and then and payments were updated in hours. I was wondering if I should call the information through but others (on another thread have said to just do it online).

@Totallycluelessoverhere I feel the same way. Last year I told them that this will be the same every year as I contribute the same to my pension so every year the figure they need will be exactly the same. When I chatted to the agent last week I found him abrupt 'if we need evidence we will contact you so do not contact us'. Problem is when you have your payments cut so much you are desperate to get it sorted. Especially at the moment as I am furloughed.

I've checked my tax credits online and for some reason they are using an income over £4000 more than I have earned. The figure they are using this year is alot more than my gross with my contributions. I just dont get it.

I worry when I get moved to UC how difficult it will be. Will payments be reduced every month or can I submit details of them? On UC I would already be much worse off so I dread it

OP posts:
Original poster
SpideyMom · 18/05/2020 10:37

So I've ended up calling. The lady I spoke to was lovely, but it is only a helpline at the moment and I could not speak to an advisor.

She told me she can see my renewal has been received and that it's been based on a higher amount and that I've declared lower. She said as it's only a helpline she cannot go in and renew anything for me so has amended this years figures to what I have worked out I will he earning and input that for now which should rejig my payments. That way it gives some breathing space whilst it remains unfinalised for someone to contact me should they want evidence of my payments.

Fingers crossed they update

OP posts:
Chasingsquirrels · 18/05/2020 12:36

That's what mine did (I wasn't calling to renew over the phone as I don't yet have all the info), updated current year info to my estimate for current year. He said a week puls for paperwork but it would be updated on the app within 48 hours. It was updated the next day.

I've missed May as was meant to be paid on 15th and I installed early last week, but next payment showing as due 10 Jun then 4-weekly.

Original poster
SpideyMom · 18/05/2020 12:42

I was wondering how long it would take to update. Thank you

OP posts:
Original poster
SpideyMom · 19/05/2020 09:59

Absolutely shocked. Payments have amended and bearing in mind my income has gone down by over £4000, my payments today have gone down once again. Renewal still processing. This doesnt make sense. When my income has decreased by that much how can my payments be reduced.
I've used the calculator which is always pretty accurate for me. I'm also able to work out my payments myself. My new payment is very very wrong

OP posts:
Totallycluelessoverhere · 19/05/2020 11:27

Has anybody tried the online chat on HMRC to try and tell them about pension payments?
I can’t live with these reduced payments for too much longer without it causing hardship.

Totallycluelessoverhere · 19/05/2020 11:29

spideymom I had that last year and then 24 hours later the figures were changed again to the correct amount. It might be worth checking again tomorrow. I totally understand your worry and frustration.

Original poster
SpideyMom · 19/05/2020 16:00

@Totallycluelessoverhere I found chat really abrupt to be honest. The advice I got from them was that I should not be contacting them and I should wait for them to contact me. I said that's easier to do when your payments arent affecting you, but when your reduced payments are incorrect and are leaving you with very little to support your family on it's hard to sit and wait months for it to be sorted.

Calling was alot better but was only a helpline so best thing to do is reduce your current year income on the app and it will revise your payments. Its revised mine incorrectly and made them go down again so I hope they will be due a further adjustment. I still cant believe they've gone down.

I know exactly how you feel though. I've been told today that I am to remain on furlough for at least another month. At least! So it could be longer. No maintenance being paid as well. Money is shit

OP posts:
Totallycluelessoverhere · 19/05/2020 18:16

Thanks spideymom. In that case I think I will just wait until I get a letter giving instructions of how to tell them about the allowable deductions. With a few cutbacks and my credit card I will be okay until they sort it out.

IggyAce · 19/05/2020 18:33

I think mine is auto renew this year, how can I be sure?

purpleme12 · 19/05/2020 18:38

I don't think any auto renew. They all work the same way you have to confirm it's the same information or give them updated information.
That's why they have those adverts nearer the time saying make sure you get your renewal done or you'll lose them

Original poster
SpideyMom · 19/05/2020 18:57

The majority are being autorenewed this year I was told but you will still get your pack to be able to make amendments if you need to. Most packs will have a solid black line through which means they have been auto renewed. But I've still made changes.
To he honest it's feels the same as every other year. My payments always get reduced before anything is finalised and then rectified

OP posts:
Original poster
SpideyMom · 20/05/2020 09:51

I was hoping my payments would be recalculated again today but they havent been. I cant believe that my income has been decreased by over 4000 and my payments have gone down. I wish I hadn't bothered but I never thought it would cause them to he decreased

OP posts:
Truzza · 20/05/2020 10:11

I did my renewal online and it updated straight away.... it was a lot less than with auto renewal £200pm less, but I don't want to get stung next year. I'd rather get a nice payout in April. I always over estimate my earnings, not by much but enough so I don't end up paying them back. Although I am self employed

Truzza · 20/05/2020 10:13

If you download hmrc app you can track and change stuff
It's great quite up to date

Original poster
SpideyMom · 20/05/2020 12:50

I use the app. But mine hasn't changed since going down again

OP posts: