Tax Credits

[jd_1984]

Three seperate people that I know, 1 family member and 2 work friends, have received letters regarding tax credits this morning. They are all full time employees (apart from maternity leave when their child was born) and have all bee employed without any other break in employment since they were 18. In other words, honest, tax paying people.

The letters outlined that the tax credits that they were awarded upon having their first child (one example is £12 per month) which they felt was an insult anyway, was a mistake and they were infact not entitled. So the letter has requested re-payment in full by (a date in december).

Firstly, how frustrating is it to have to re pay what the government initially calculated you were entitled to. Secondly, I think that people should be given the chance to re-pay in installments (like £12 per month) as it was paid to them rather than a lump sum just before Christmas. Thirdly, how annoying that this will go back into the pot to ensure that "Work shy" Joe Bloggs can apply for a crisis loan to make sure he gets new trainers for Christmas!!

I would like somebody to show me that my rant is not warranted because it just appears unfair!!
I am expecting my partner to get a similar letter, would be just our luck

[ummmm]

Mags, I'm not answering for jd but I don't he's been living with his partner very long.

[jd_1984]

magsmay, been living together 11 weeks. She lived alone for 2 years moving in with me in September.
Have I touched a nerve with you?
Think its drifted off topic now I have got what I needed from this post.

Thanks all.

[magsmay]

@jd_1984 -touched a nerve? unlikely lol! no just you said in your original post that you would like someone to show you that your rant was not warranted -so I did! silly to ask for something you don't want to hear....end of lol!

[EvianBaby]

Ill apologise because my input was frankly useless, off track and a bit arsey for no particular reason.

[cathfromsaron]

child tax credits and working tax credits are different, and complicated by new threshholds and other factors! i have had to pay back money DESPITE informing the powers-that-be of facts AND following up with a letter!

i don't think anybody should criticise people who need - and are entitled to - this cash BUT i do object to able bodied people, who would never even consider applying for any work AND can then make a lifestyle choice of idleness out of the majority's hard efforts!