Specialist compliance team letter? Tax credits

[part-timer]

Has any of you had one of these random letters before? i thing they're random computer generated letters from Tax credits. It was from the specialist compliance team. asking if my single claim was right, and to call the number so i don't face penalties if they find anything when doing their checks, to make sure my claim was right. I rang and eventually got through, and asked was it some sort of renewal? as i'd always rang to update any changes etc...

She said no it wasn't a re-newal and went on to ask loads of personal questions such as am i in a relationship, were was my ex, did he give me money, did he have letters still coming here!! told her the truth and said to anyone i know personally, me and my exl being together was laughable at the moment!! She said they still have to check and these checks are the future. She said that'd be all, and i might get another check in a few months. So have any of you had one? the letter was quite agressive and i worry a lot anyway!!

And after your phone call did you hear anymore? im worried my tax credits will stop, im such a worrier.

[jadeybags]

I did have a call once on my mobile from somewhere, but I cant even remember who it was I am such a Doris! It was last year, it probably was tax credits actually, 98% sure it was. And they were just updating details to check that nothing had changed with me, any other jobs etc.

Never heard anymore. Didn't really think much of it to be honest.

[part-timer]

Thanks, i think its just me i always think the worst of everythin. I think it was just a check then, just wondered why thats all.

[watchinginvestigation2010]

There have been a few posts on similar topic, even erika had one I believe, it can come accross as intimidating some have found. But as long as your situation has not changed and still single parent, then dont worry, just answer the questions and switch off.

[jadeybags]

Yes, I think Tax credits like to be on the ball when it comes to changes in circumstances, & the call is just a review. I expect they are fully aware their past record for overpaying people & then slapping them with a huge bill couldn't go on. Or maybe I am being too generous towards them & they do really think everyone is on the fiddle lol I still dont get exactly how tax credits work, when I got a pay rise at the end of the year I rang to tell them but the guy said it wont make any difference. I thought what we got was based on our wages. Roll on when I meet a millionaire to take me away from any type of these confusing different benefits!

[watchinginvestigation2010]

OOOH I want that millionaire too xx

[jadeybags]

I know.. we could share him! 8-) LOL sorry for hijacking your thread part-timer xxx

[part-timer]

Lol no worries, as long as you give me a piece of him too, when you find him!!

 

I think switching off is a good idea, i'll try and forget it now, i guess some people have these checks a lot and now i've had one i wonder what the outcome is thats all.

[jadeybags]

Lol no worries, as long as you give me a piece of him too, when you find him!!

 

I think switching off is a good idea, i'll try and forget it now, i guess some people have these checks a lot and now i've had one i wonder what the outcome is thats all.

 

 

Yeh dont worry, it's only since I found this site recently that I realised how complex the benefits system is & how many people have these checks done.

We all need to get ourselves over to the sugardaddy .com dating website

[watchinginvestigation2010]

sugar daddy, nice:lol:

[part-timer]

Meant to ask, does anyone know i i need to start getting my bank statements etc together after this phone check? is this the next step? im so disorganised with keeping things, i'll need to sort stuff as soon as really.

[flumps1976]

I had one of these checks a couple of years ago as I had declared in change in my childcare costs at my renewal and then had a letter from compliance to say I had to call them by a spevific date. I did and it was a more in depth review of my renewal claim they wanted to know why my childcare costs had increased and to confirm the dates of maternity pay as I was in a position at the time to leave the payments as they were without requesting the deduction of £100 for Company and Statutory Maternity Pay until then? Why hadn't I asked for it a the time? He was a bit miffed when I told him that I had already budgeted for that and could leave it until the renewal and that my partners working pattern had changed so childcare needed to be put in place for an additional couple hours which attracted he additional help which I was entitled to. He couldn't answer why I had been selected for a Compliance check though as I wasn't claiming anything incorrectly and I was suprised that they had actually got my award correct for the first time since I had started claiming in 2003!

[part-timer]

No since being made redundant im claiming income support and child tax credit, and as im a single mum this was to question my single claim-is it right? sort of thing.

Just felt it was all a bit big brother, maybe it was just a shock because i've never had one before. Maybe if lots of people have had them or simular, these are just random checks from the Tax credit office

[maddiemay]

I had one of these too, I was asked to go in to see them, probably because there is a T/C office close by, which I did, I updated telephone security and basic details, the lady told me its just a new routine thing to update and avoid any over or under payments, nothing to worry about at all.

[jadeybags]

I just so wish the LA did more of these up to date checks. Would have saved me so much money. Although I still haven't decided for sure if I am going to appeal this over payment they have sent me.

I hold more trust in the Tax credits team, even though I am aware they did make lots of errors in the begining for people, I trust that they have sorted that. I dont however hold any trust in the LA anymore, they scare me & not claiming it anymore will leave us 150 a month worse off, but my piece of mind is worth that.

If I had young children, I would probably still be beholdent to the housing/council tax benefit, I just thank god my 2 are early teens now. Just please people make sure you check & check again everything they say you're entitled to. This place is great, I wish I had found it before my problem arose. It educates you so much more.

[part-timer]

I wonder how often to expect them? someone said it was to do with the new government clawing back some money. Childcare costs are going to 70% in April too i think rather than 80%.

When did you recieve yours Maddiemay?

[jadeybags]

Well, apart from that call last year I haven't had any contact from them apart from the reapply thing in april, but I have only been on it just over 2 years come this april. I expect i'll get a call in the summer some time, like I did last year. That's what I am assuming anyway.

[maddiemay]

Mine was about this time last year, I remember asking what it was all about as it was unusual, the lady told me it was a new thing and everybody will have a call or be invited in at some point, but as I was one of the first, it hadn't become known yet to be common practice. I dont have child care costs but I had had a change in circumstances, so maybe thats how they decide on who to call in next.

[maddiemay]

Oh yes, I've just remembered, I'd failed my telephone security too! Another reason why I was called in, to produce ID.

[part-timer]

Well its defonately a new thing then and nothing to be concerned about, its just i've been claiming tax credits for 8 years now and this is the first check of this kind, apart from normal re-new i do on the phone every year.

I think people are afraid of change- not change in circumstances lol- change in the systems. I suppose it must be part of a big shake up, so to get used to the occasional check from now on.

[jadeybags]

Is it easier doing it over the phone? In fact, which way is more secure? I guess it's just best to read the award letter isn't it, but I reckon those are even more confusing than the housing benefit ones! especially if you get both child AND working tax credits. Just put the full amount instead of loads of different figures already tax credits people! lol Even the council compliance officer said that

[part-timer]

I do mine over the phone, i don't fill in the pack. you can do either really but personally i prefer the phone, phone calls are recorded, you can ask for a name if needs be- i think its more secure than sending it off in the post with all the other claims at that time of year. I wouldn't be able to rest unless i'd spoke to someone for myself, doing it by phone sort of reassures me its done.

[jadeybags]

I do mine over the phone, i don't fill in the pack. you can do either really but personally i prefer the phone, phone calls are recorded, you can ask for a name if needs be- i think its more secure than sending it off in the post with all the other claims at that time of year. I wouldn't be able to rest unless i'd spoke to someone for myself, doing it by phone sort of reassures me its done.

 

Ok cool, I will do mine by phone this year then, didn't realise they recorded all the calls. Thanks for that x

[tallica]

I rang Tax credits to tell them id got married, and they sent a form to fill in for a joint claim....then 3 weeks later i had a letter from the compliance team asking if i was a single parent still and to let them know if i had a partner! lol....i tell u, one hand doesnt know what the other is doing lol

[part-timer]

No problem, i've always done mine by phone so much easier than form filling, lol...

 

Lol Tallica, they don'r know their arse from their elbow?!!

 

 

Thinking about it im not even sure if me re-newing is a waste of time? im currently on income support and i know some people get an annual review NOTICE and if nothings changed they don't need to call. Some people get the notice and a delclaration, were they have to fill in the form or call to update.

Im not sure who just gets the notice? i can't remember, i did read its those who get the full family child tax (which would be me?) not sure. Its confusing at the best of times!!