Who should pay backdates for my baby?

[sassy_1]

In Nov 05 i had my 2nd child, i had previously been claiming Income support as a single parent for myself and my 6yr old son. I contacted IS to let them know of the new babys arrival and they said all new claims for children are dealt with by Child Tax Credit.

I then contacted CTC who sent me the forms to claim and advised me to claim for both 6yr old and new baby. In January 06 i recieved my Child Tax entitlement form for both children, starting 25th Jan, and the IS for my older son stopped accordingly.

I then contacted CTC, regarding backdated pay for the new baby (from Nov-Jan).They told me there was a backlog and it would be some time. From Jan till Aug i contacted them on numerous occasions, each time explaining the situation, only to be told that it was being dealt with.

I contacted my MP, who recieved a letter saying CTC would not be paying the backdates as it is not their responsibility, but Income Supports(under the Social Security (Tax Credit) amendment regulations 2005). Income Support say the reverse, so now i'm stuck. No-one will pay.

What do i do now? If it is income supports responsibility, would it be too late to claim as obviously it is past the 12 weeks allowed to backdate a claim?

[bednobs]

i would have thought itsd the childrens fathers job to support you

[redcrx]

Id say give it up as a bad lot.

[sassy_1]

Their father is dead, otherwise he would be supporting us. Why should i give up on this?

[sassy_1]

Sorry, didn't mean to be so blunt. I did'nt claim benefits because i wanted to, i had no choice, i suffered PND and had no choice. I just think that after years of paying taxes i should be able to claim what i'm entitled to, i wouldn't even have pursued the backdates had i not needed it (and still do), i would have let it go. As you can imagine having financial support one minute and then your world turning upside down the next is hard.Maybe i should just let it go. Thankyou for replying.

[redcrx]

I was suggesting you give it up as in the long run its likely to cause just stress and agro to yourself.

No youve mentioned PND then im sorry but i really do think that itll be better in the long run to leave it be.

[redcrx]

* that should read 'now that youve mentioned........'

[Kathyan]

Why should she let it be? Sassy I have every sympathy with you. People who have never had to claim benefits are very lucky. I have been on both sides, so I do understand. If I were you I would make an appointment to see someone at the Citizens Advice Bureau. They should be able to help you or at least point you in the right direction. You have a right to this money. Good luck!

[redcrx]

kathyan, you have no idea whether i have claimed benefits or not and that bears no relation to my advice.

Sassy could spend the next 12 months going over the same ground here and still being no nearer to receiving any money. phone calls, letters, time, it all adds up and she has already found that no-one is responsible for the backdated payments.

If sassy wants to continue her battle for the money then a few answers on here will not deter her in the slightest will they?

[Kathyan]

Did I say that you claimed benefits or not red? I don't think so. I was just maiking a comment which is true, that until you have been on benefits you (not you in particular) don't know what it is like. I am sorry if you feel that I was getting at you, I wasn't.