No Tax Credits

[san070160]

My partner and I are both on low wages and receive £50 per week in Working Tax Credits. We still struggle, but can just about manage. But this week, we have not received a payment, and I can't contact the phone line, as there is never an answer. Now I'm panicking, as someone has told me it's all changed since the Tory Government took over. But surely, they can't just take this money away without any warning! We totally rely on this money and now I can't even pay my bills without this extra money. Is anyone else having similar problems?

[Sycamore3House]

You will have had a letter stating when you payments will be paid and until when. I also get tax credits and it is around this time of the year that I need to apply again. If you don't apply you don't get.

[san070160]

We haven't received a Renewal Pack or any other kind of letter, which is can't understand why they've stopped payments. My phone.

[san070160]

I meant to say I can't contact them by phone, as it's impossible to get through.

[Sycamore3House]

https://www.gov.uk/renewing-your-tax-credits-claim

This link is renewing online.

[New Judge]

I'm really amazed that somebody has told you that "it's all changed sinced the Tory Government took over" (less than three weeks ago).

They cannot surely believe that such fundamental changes would have been enacted in less than three weeks and even before Parliament officially resumes. Or can they?

It just about sums up how badly informed some people are and how easy it is to mislead others.

[Buenchico]

It's not renewal time yet
https://www.gov.uk/renewing-your-tax-credits-claim
so that won't be the reason why you've not been paid anything.

The phone line (0345 300 3900) is open until 8pm, so keep trying. (I usually expect to wait at least one hour, and possibly 2 or 3, when phoning any Government department).

[fiction-factory]

Maybe this week's delay was due to the bank holiday

[dancecaller]

I hope they have sorted it out now.
It really isn't helpful when government phone lines are not available, or let you get through and then make you hang on - paying - for ages. Probably an 'efficiency saving' - we pay instead of them. And for the busy lines like tax credit, IHT etc the people phoning are at a difficult time without all that frustration.
http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/mps/ will give you contact details for your MP if you put your post code in - mine give a phone number, website and webpage. Ask them to help.

Another 'inefficiency' - if one department doesn't work properly someone else has to spend time doing something that shouldn't be their job.