Tax credit confusion

[sarahken]

I filled in my tax crdeit renewal for 09/10 and today have received two payments in my account one for £1060 and one for £2600. I phoned tax credits twice to double check as obviously I was shocked and both members of staff confirmed the money is mine based on the figure I submitted for what I earned in tax year 09/10. I'm confused as I always thought you were paid for the previous tax years earnings. So last years money was based on what I earnt in tax yr 08/09- so as that figure was not an estimate I couldn't possibly be owed any money.

They have said that they take either the current tax years income or the previous tax years figure into account- whichever is lowest. I'm now worried as my income has gone up to £25000 and I'm still getting £160 per week and have no childcare costs. So I am been paid two years based on the tax year 09/10- is this correct? I'm a little confused as I thought I was clued up on tax credits- thanks in advance for any help They have assured me the money I got today and my future payments are correct but it seems way too high

Even with them telling you all is well, i would ask for written confirmation. My DH was on similar to you and we have 3 children and no childcare costs and recieved £39 per week?????
Well done on the windfall but be sceptical, this is the tax credit people afterall

At the beginning of tax year 09/10 we only got £20 per week for our ds- then it went up to £95 when dd was born may 09- now up to £160 per week even though she'e now over a year. I give up- too confusing. But I have made a note of date and time I phoned them- so if they ever come back to me they can listen to the voice recordings of the staff telling me to spend the money as its mine. What annoys me is they put money in your account and send the paperwork later so I'm always scared to spend anything incase they got the digits wrong.

sarahken, I don't think you need to worry if your income has gone up to £25k. The tax credits office do take the lower figure of the previous and the current year UNLESS the current year is more than £25k higher than the previous year. So, unless you made nothing at all in 09/10 then the fact that your family income has gone up to £25,000 in 10/11 should not make a difference.

thanks riksti I'm only going to use the money to repay debts I have from maternity leave- so even if they try and get it back at least its gone to a good cause and not been wasted