Tax Credits renewal - how long?

[backofbeyond]

Like most people claiming tax credits I dread renewal time!

 

I sent my declaration off last week (recorded delivery of course!) and it was signed for on 06/07 - just wondered how long it is likely to be until I get my updated award? Rang the helpline today but their automated message said it could take 8 weeks! Just wondered if anyone on here had done theirs by post and had received an award?

[backofbeyond]

Its the unknown that bothers me (have previously been stung with an overpayment); the checking the bank each week to see whether it is the same amount or whether it has been reduced etc. I mean heaven forbid you would actually get notification by post prior to payments stopping being reduced

[boloney]

Its the unknown that bothers me (have previously been stung with an overpayment); the checking the bank each week to see whether it is the same amount or whether it has been reduced etc. I mean heaven forbid you would actually get notification by post prior to payments stopping being reduced

I can't remember how long I been waiting, but I did get money they own me about two weeks before I received letter from HMRC.

Keep checking your account. Can't you do it online, much easyer?

[Greer8472]

My renewal came today. I have been rewarded for back dating and higherweekly payments but being very careful about it. So other renewals might be on there way.

Edited July 14, 2011 by Greer8472

[backofbeyond]

My renewal came today. I have been rewarded for back dating and higherweekly payments but being very careful about it. So other renewals might be on there way.

 

Did you do it by phone or by post? How long ago was that?

 

I know I can't do anything about it but really hate wondering whether my regular payment is going in etc. Like most people I rely on my tax credits payments. I know when we were overpaid before the money just didn't go in and it left us in a terrible mess

[backofbeyond]

I do check (every day lol), I am not expecting an underpayment am just very wary about overpayments. The worry of one day my tax credits just not going in (we had this last year). If i had been underpaid that would be a bonus

[Greer8472]

Did you do it by phone or by post? How long ago was that?

 

I know I can't do anything about it but really hate wondering whether my regular payment is going in etc. Like most people I rely on my tax credits payments. I know when we were overpaid before the money just didn't go in and it left us in a terrible mess

 

I filled out my form and sent it through the post ASAP. Went from an estimate to what I did infact earned for the tax year 10-11.

[backofbeyond]

Right I have called the tax credits office today - very busy and it says they have a back log and you had to put in the date that you sent the form in (no personal details so just a generic date check) it then said to call back 8 wks from the date we sent it in. My question is the 8 wks is past the 31st July deadline and the advert says (and it says on their website) that if you don't renew by this date payments will stop. What happens if my letter (even though it was sent recorded delivery) has gone into the HMRC black hole?!?!?!?!?!

[hammyhound]

Personally, I would ring them up and pretend you have not sent the form in.

 

A few years back I posted the form and my money stopped after July as they said they had not received it or there was a backlog, can't remember which. I sent the form in in May and rang up saying I had not heard anything.

 

I always do it by phone now, the lady on the phone said if I had not heard anything by 25th July to ring them back but I think ringing is far better than posting.

[backofbeyond]

Thanks Hammyhound, yes think I will be phoning in future! Never remember having problems the last few years and I've always posted it! Guess I am just panicing cos of the overpayment we had and don't want to be in the situation of going to bank oneday and no money being in lol

[hammyhound]

You know any overpayment is not taken in one lump sum, they will spread it over a year and if you have problems you can ask them to take smaller amounts. They have been deducting an overpayment from me for the last 3 years and obviously it will be for this and next year. I have never had any problems with "nothing in the bank", they only take a small amount of the overpayment each month. They will never leave you short.

[backofbeyond]

Our overpayment was found out this January and they advised me it had to be paid back before the end of the tax year - it was from 2008/2009. So between Jan and beg of April we had virtually nothing. It just makes me really wary of them that's all.