For anyone worried about making a new tax credit claim after separating

[keepingupwiththejoneses]

I have just been speaking to the tax credit helpline. H and I are separating soon and I knew I would have to make a new claim as a single parent. They have just told me that they have a dedicated phone line just for people having to change from a joint to a single claim as they understand that this almost always means a lack of income Apparently if you are changing from a single to a joint or are making your first claim you have to be sent an application form, which can take 2 weeks but not if you are going from joint to single, meaning you save that 2 weeks Oh and this line is open an a saturday!

Do you know if that includes if you used to claim but don't anymore? We used to get ctc until dh's wages went over the limit. I guess we'd still be on record.

What they told me is they can take single claims over the phone but not joint claims. Apparently it is because they realise that there is more chance of almost no money coming into the house on a single claim. Although there is still the same processing time, this can reduce the claim time by 2-3 weeks therefore making the processing time no more than 2-3 weeks. I have got to say it is a relief for me.

That's good then. Thanks for the info. Good luck with everything!

You too xx

Do you have the number of the dedicated phone line?

Thats great to know, thanks for posting.

You just go through to the helpline and they put you through.