In July my wife left me

at the time I was receiving ESA (support group), Severe Disability premium, DLA, tax credits & LHA.

I informed DWP of the change in my circumstances and was advised that I didn't need to contact any of the government agencies as my change in circumstances information would be passed automatically. This was a godsend at the time as I suffer from numerous physical and mental issues.

Today I have heard from HMRC saying that I may receive a fine of £300 for not informing them of my change of circumstances. I was also informed that in September my area became full UC so I will be forced onto Universal Credit without any migration protection, is this true? is there anything I can do?

The issue here is that DWP were ok with your change in circumstances and could retain your DWP benefits.

On the other hand, HMRC Tax Credits would deal with your change in circumstances, as a reason to close your TC claim and for you to claim UC instead.

Can I suggest that you get in touch with your MP's office to raise a complaint in writing. It is not fair that you are being threatened with failing to report the change, if someone from DWP told you that you could continue with the current claims.

Your local MP is more likely to obtain a resolution to this, than you will by trying to deal with this yourself.

Changing to UC now, could see you being a lot worse off.

Some local MP's have an office with a weekly surgery, definitely check that out too.

Thanks Guys, getting in touch with my local MP is a great idea and not one I would of thought of myself. As it stands at the moments, there is no way I will consider switching to UC I would rather just loose the Tax Credits, but what a choice because of somebodies awful instructions, lose my tax credits or lose my severe disablement allowance. This is having such an awful effect on my health.