Refused Tax Credits-Desparate

[wino]

Need advise for my sister.

Her husband left 6 weeks ago. (Police removed him court case pending)
He had stopped paying the bills and never said anything only found out after he'd gone.

Electric (set at £26 per wk) and gas (set at £20 per wk) meters installed to pay arrears. She has been told that she has to pay all the rent arrears about £500

My sister claimed income support and has finally after 6 weeks been given £59.00 per week. She gets £50 approx per week child benefit for 3 children. She has been told that she is entitled to child tax credits however because she was over paid previously they will not pay out.

She has applied for the United Ulilities Hardship grant but not heared anything as yet.

How can all the utility suppliers, council, banks and loan companies etc expect her to pay everyone and bring up 3 children on £100 per week.

Surely by not paying out the Child Tax Credits she is below the poverty line.

She cannot expect any help from her soon to be Ex. Eventually the CSA might actually do something but at the moment there is an injunction out to keep him away and from contacting her.

Any advise appreciated as she is sinking fast.

[Joa]

Hi wino; your sister need a wide ranging in-depth advice on multitude of issues; welfare benefits, debt negotiation, relationship breakdown. There is quite a few ways to maximise her income and minimise outgoings : Social Fund, Discretionary Housing Payments, decreasing the debt repayments etc.
Please get her to call Community Legal Advice

The issue of Child Tax Credits overpayment: HM Revenue & Customs: COP 26 - What happens if we have paid you too much tax credit? especially chapter entitled What if you can’t meet your essential living expenses?

[wino]

Thanks Joa. She feels like she's banging her head against a brick wall. I'll pass your info on. Thanks again