Tax credits drop!

[lylabellablueyes]

My partner and my combined income is £15000. We used to get 69 a week for working tax credit. They have now put it down to just 25 even though our details are still the same. I have done a calculation on government website and that says I should be getting 95 a week.

Are they allowed to just put it down based on same info even though this clearly says we should be getting more. I'm struggling to live now.

Thanks

[dotty.]

ring them up

[pretty_snowdrop]

Did they send a letter advising they were reducing it? Phone them up tomorrow and ask them why they have altered it, it might be a mistake.

[lylabellablueyes]

I already rang them and they said it's cos of our income. But as we only get 15000, we should be getting more.

[sara3]

did you earn more in the last year than you declared last April? (2010)

[lylabellablueyes]

I told them past year that my partner would earn 6000. As he got a new job in January, it would now be around 10000, but no more. Based on this we should still get at least 70 a week, sO I don't understand how it works. Can we dispute it?

I have one child.

[factor-fiction]

So they will have overpaid based on earlier info and are now adjusting it.
You really need to ask them- we can't sort it out without knowing all the details

[lylabellablueyes]

What details do you need?

[factor-fiction]

I don't want them, thanks.. The tax credits people have far more experience of this topic than I do, they have their records, they will probably know the reasons for your change, and they get paid for sorting it out.
Good luck.

[sara3]

f30 is correct, this is how Tax Credits work. they base your allowance on the income you declare at the start of the year, but if your joint income has increased they will take it back over the following year.

[bednobs]

you could use a benefits checker website. i thought you had to be working at least 16 hours a week to get wtc

[lylabellablueyes]

I understand that Sara. But even based on our income of 15000, we should still get more working tax

[bednobs]

yes, but they go in financial years (april to march) if you started getting more money part of the way through the year, they are probably taking the overpayment back now, and when it's been taken back, you'll go back up to what you are entitled to now

[pretty_snowdrop]

How old is your child? You get paid extra until the child is one year old then the payments are reduced.

[lylabellablueyes]

I do work 16 hours a week and my partner works 30.

My child is 2.

Thanks

[bednobs]

blimey i didn't realise the minimum wage was so poor - effectively between you you are working 46 hours a week for 15 grand a year

[lylabellablueyes]

I know. This is why we relied on the extra money to make ends meet.

[tigwig]

I would tell them you are suffering financial hardship and they may be able to up the payment a bit more. Obviously is they have overpaid you you will need to pay it back but it should be at a rate you can afford. You need to speak to them.