Ok, well you'll never believe this but.....in today's post my new award notice arrived!!! Also came with it the final decison on 2010-2011 - slight overpayment, but nothing too scary. Obviously I realise that with today's call, I am now going to have to wait for the amended award which will be lower payments, but to be honest, getting anything towards my childcare costs is a huge help. So all in all, from when I made my renewal in June, it's taken almost 4 months to get it processed. Westlandbabe - I'm sure you will get your renewal soon; it really does seem to be like the guy you spoke to said - very slow at the moment. The main thing is they have confirmed it's processed, and they told you everything was fine and their happy. Let us know when you get it through x Backofbeyond - thanks for being around on here. This thread has been a much needed support for me and I'm sure lots of others too. Will stay on the thread too for any updates and let you know how long the revised award notice takes! Hope all is ok with you x

Well, I rang at 8.00 this morning and got straight through. Spoke to a lady who sounded like a robot on tranquilizers, but she was actually pretty helpful with working out my new costs, so she took all the information about childcare provider, etc, then left me on hold for ages to process it. She said that she was putting the changes through and that I would receive a new amended award notice shortly. I was going to ask why the current one was taking so long, but actually bottled it and just decided to give them a chance and see if this does happen. Would be due my normal payment in a couple of weeks, so will see if I get one, or maybe they will stop it until they decide what my new entitlements are, not sure. Feel better now I've spoken to them as they now know of my childcare changes, but don't think I'll feel completely at ease until I get a proper award notice through the post!! x

Hi Westland babe, thanks so much for the information; I feel a little relieved that the system is running slow - although obviously not good for all of us trying to get this sorted! I think it's because I've heard absolutely nothing apart from a copy of my previous award from last year when I told it was my new award being sent out!! Well I have got tomorrow off work and am going to get on the phone at 8.00 with all the up to date info on my childcare costs, and see if they can let me know any news. Like you said it is tricky not using the spare money and I feel really bad about it, but it did save my gas and electric for another month! lol. I really hope you get your renewal through soon, I'm sure you will if he's told you that. Backofbeyond - thanks for your continued support, it really does mean a lot. Will update on here once I have got through to them tomorrow x

Can't believe I just typed out a reply, bloody crying my eyes out and then managed to delete the whole lot!!!!! Thanks backofbeyond for your message; I am at my wits end, but writing is a good idea, I just thought if I called them I could also find out about my non-existent award! Hope everything is ok with you x

Well if it's any consolation, I renewed mine on 14th June (have moaned about it on here a few times!), and I still haven't heard anything from them; no childcare enquiry, no nothing. Have been trying to call them regarding new childcare arrangements, but can't get through as the only time I can ring is at work, so can't hold for too long on the phone. Am absolutely sick to the back teeth of it all now; I checked my bank account and haven't had any 'random' payments go on, so assume my new award is still not processed. I am due another payment in 2 weeks time, which would be a lot more than I am entitled to, so the overpayments will be building up nicely. Trying to keep them aside, but had to relent and use them for bills...not good I know. I would say that if you had a letter from the compliance team saying they are satisfied, you should be absolutely fine; I think they are just particularly slow this year, possibly with the new childcare checks, etc. As for me, I am literally thinking of giving up work and claiming every benefit I can because I'm sick of struggling trying to do things the 'right' way; although saying that I do have a mortgage to pay, so probably should keep on working, otherwise I'll be repossessed!! Good luck, I hope you get your notice through soon.

Thanks a lot for your reply, that's really helpful. The only thing is I am getting my invoices monthly from the afterschool club. The first few weeks have consisted of extra child care as my daughter is only at school for 3 hours, so the first month's expense has been a lot more than it would be normally. Once I'm into next month, it will be a regular amount (which they have pro-rata'd for me). Should I just take it from the amount that it is going to be from October (after school sessions), and divide that monthly cost by 4 so it gives me a weekly cost? With the holiday club costs - probably most during next year's summer holidays - I know how much that is per day, so again, I guess if she's going for say 6 weeks, work out how much that cost is, and divide by 52?! I'm sorry to sound so thick, I am actually quite intelligent with anything other than numbers!! lol. I am quite concerned that obviously I haven't even had my award notice through yet as it still hasn't been processed, so giving all this new information is probably going to complicate it even further. Just very aware that I need to let them know of the changes soon, as I don't want overpayments.

Really pleased to hear you received your award, that's great news! Bet you are so relieved. I'm still waiting to receive mine. Going to give them til the end of the week and then ring them; I've got to work out my childcare payments - afterschool club and holiday club - I have no idea how to work out how much as they seem to go by everything weekly, when I pay monthly. Also my daughter will be at holiday club for however many weeks once my holiday runs out at work, so god knows how I'm going to get the figures right. I'm really pleased I still had a payment last week - but I have literally used it for the first bit of childcare now she's started school, so keeping the rest to one side, as I know I'll have to pay it back. I hope I can report some news saying it's all sorted soon, although I'm not holding my breath. Nearly October and I'm still none the wiser!

Hiya Backofbeyond Well I did get the usual payment today, which was a relief, but am trying to be shrewd and put most of it to one side as I expect to have to pay it back. I'm unsure about my daughter's after school club at the moment, so going to give it another week before I am sure of my childcare provider. Once I know I will call them - probably still won't have heard anything by then, but hey! How are you? Did you get your award notice through ok? Hope all is sorted and you are ok xx

Well another week has gone by and heard nothing about my award...I guess it's still being processed since I renewed on the 14th June - basically coming up 3 months. I know I need to ring them again to inform them of childcare changes since my daughter has started school last week, and am absolutely dreading it, as this will obviously delay things even more. I have a breakfast club, and afterschool care to pay for; obviously I don't expect to completely cover those fees with tax credits, but just some help would be good. So I am in a quandry...I should get a tax credits payment on Wednesday (normal date), which the first phone call informed me 3 weeks ago, or from the 'gentleman' who I spoke to last week says that I shouldn't have been told that, and just 'wait until it's processed and I will be notified'....I absolutely detest this system....I feel lucky to receive anything, but I do not claim any other benefits whatsoever, have worked full time for 23 years (except 3 months maternity leave), yet I am dreading being told I cannot receive any further help or that they have made a massive overpayment. Sorry, it's just good to be able to talk about this, I am worrying day and night and am seriously worried about how long it is all taking, let alone ringing to complicate things even more with further changes

Hiya Backofbeyond, To be honest if they are telling you everything is fine and that's the figures they're working off, then I really think it will be ok for you now. It's obviously annoying with no firm paperwork and I think they are out to confuse everyone this year!! Reading through this thread, there are so many people worried about tax credits; I wish I had never claimed in first place; just kept being told I was entitled to help with childcare, so I thought 'why not'!! Must admit I wouldn't have managed without it, but the worry of it all is overwhelming sometimes, even though logically what's the point in worrying about it, I still do. I get very confused with figures (maths isn't my strong point!), and I have never fully understood the awards, but I can't help but worry that suddenly I'm going to get a letter telling me that I'm not going to get anymore help or something...maybe just being a paranoid pete, and like you say, it could be the whole childcare element they are looking into. Oh well another day of dreading the postman arriving!! Really pleased yours seems to be pretty much sorted though, that's good news xx

Hiya, well I do claim for childcare, which changed last september, and I informed them 3 weeks after, so that was sorted and amended. I received an amended award notice in October - this is the copy they have sent to me, which I understood was the new award notice. It's really difficult as you can't tell them about any changes until or after they actually happen. My daughter has started school which I told them was going to happen, but they weren't interested until a week after she starts. I really don't want to get into an overpayment issue and always try and be organised with any finances. It's good news that your renewal has been processed though, at least you're further along than I am!! I just can't believe that we're in September and they haven't even started to process it when I did my renewal on the phone on 14th June. Plus I had one guy there telling me everything was fine and it had been sorted, then another one telling me they hadn't even started it yet. I will have to phone them soon to tell them about the childcare changes, but to be honest am dreading even talking to them as it's could get even more complicated. Really wish I didn't have to claim the tax credits at all, I've never claimed benefits for anything, and I feel lucky to get any help at all, but if they decide I'm not entitled to any help now I won't be able to afford after school care or holiday care. I hope you get your paperwork through soon and at least you know it's all done and dusted for another year!

Hiya, I have still had payments on my normal dates for the same amount. I renewed over the telephone, gave my P60 details, etc. The guy two weeks ago told me when I would get my next payment, which is the date I would expect, and it is for the same amount. My wages fluctuate as I am in sales, and wondered if I had earned more than I anticipated so was quite prepared for them to tell me they have made an overpayment, but he said the figure was for the same. Really not sure what is going on, I don't mind if they need to check everything, it would just be good to be told this is what they are doing. The guy yesterday said it hadn't even been processed yet, but basically his attitude was 'don't call again, once it's done you will get a new award notice'. It has never taken this long before though. Thanks for replying; it's kind of comforting to know that other people are having the hassle with them as well!!

Hiya everyone, I too am having problems with getting my 2011-2012 awards notice. Renewed on 14th June (with no changes), and rang the helpline 2 weeks ago as I still hadn't received my award notice (they estimated 8 weeks). Previously it has come through within about a month. Anyway a nice man told me that my renewal had gone through with no problems and a new award notice had been sent mid July. Obviously concerned as it must have been mislaid in the post, so he said he would send me another copy. He did tell me the amount I am entitled to and when my next payment would be (which is the same as previous payments). 2 weeks later I receive a copy of my 2010-2011 award notice - took me a while to spot this! Anyway, I ring the helpline and say thank you for my award notice, however, I need the new notice for 2011-2012. The man I spoke to couldn't understand what my problem was. After explaining another two times, he said that my renewal had not been processed yet so that's why I had a copy of the last one. I told him the man I spoke to a couple of weeks ago had assured me it had gone through and gave me the date of my next payment, plus the amount. He said that I shouldn't have been told that?!! I asked him what the delay was and he just said it was still being processed and when it was I would receive a new award notice. He also asked if there was any particular reason I needed the paperwork, and I said no but I should still have it to check surely!! Is anyone else still having delays like this??!!