Tax Credits Underpayment - They Won't Repay As I Am Too Late!

[moggiekev]

Hi there. I have received an underpayment for 2006/2007. The TCO say that they cannot adjust the figures as I did not notify them and a final award notice was sent to me in February 2008. I believe that I did tell them and they have confirmed that the final notice was based on an estimate only. I have asked them to retrace correspondence and telephone calls. However, during that period I was made homeless and was busy rehousing myself and my girls. It may well be I overlooked the figure. However, it is out by over £3,000 and an underpayment would be significant. Does anyone know if it IS possible to recover after a final award notice?

[poppynurse]

I can't see why not, they can alter final award notices and claim overpayments.....try your MP if you can't get them to play ball.

[notsoevil]

I had a rebate after they underpaid me for whole year, despite me telling them every time I called the details of my circumstances, still they didnt tell me I was owed one until the next year (I didnt ask as I thought it correct!) when I renewed my claim. I knew when the put a lump sum in bank and I called them to ask what it for and was it correct (called them three times to make sure!!). Surely when you renew they ask for details of previous year dont they which I guess is where they found out they were paying a silly little amount each month (wondered why I was struggling to eat!). Maybe you can argue that the info you have given them was correct and verified the following year in you new claim. Therefore you did all you could to make sure they had correct details and they still underpaid! I would fight this though I did read that they still may not pay you back all they underpaid. (on the tax credit website somewhere)

[WOOD73]

If you owed them, they would want it no matter if it was from a few years back, tell them you will be reclaiming it with interest, they wont be interested but will log the call, then go to your local mp's office, they have a dedicated mp's phone number, and things get done!