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Ali M-W
Da Tech(y ones)
3413 Posts |
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Ali M-W
Da Tech(y ones)
3413 Posts |
Posted - 06/10/2009 : 08:54:46
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As you can see from the following, there has been a terrific response! Keep 'em coming...
TAX CREDITS REVOLT
A MILLION homes are likely to be receiving letters saying "you've been overpaid tax credits and must give the cash back". To avoid this you're ALWAYS supposed to report any minor circumstance changes to the tax credit helpline.
Last month I wrote about how you needn't pay back the money if the mistake's theirs (see www.moneysavingexpert.com/taxcredits ).
I also mentioned to Treasury Minister Stephen Timms that reporting changes sometimes didn't work, and he asked for cases.
You sent them in thick and fast with stories of reports being ignored and struggles taking years to sort out.
One reader fumed: "You didn't mention trying to get anywhere with these people is impossible and chimps have more intelligence."
All will be passed on to the Treasury.
Yet while the system's dire, the thousands in extra income many get is worthwhile, so don't dismiss it too quickly.
TV Money Guru Martin Lewis is the creator of the Consumer Revenge website www.MoneySavingExpert.com which is packed with info on how to get more money in your pocket
http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/columnists/martin_lewis/533071/Save-poundpoundpounds-with-latest-deals-on-bank-charges-insurance-amp-ISAs.html
Morpheus: I'm trying to free your mind, Neo. But I can only show you the door. You're the one that has to walk through it. |
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Ali M-W
Da Tech(y ones)
3413 Posts |
Posted - 06/10/2009 : 08:56:37
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Or you can write directly to the man yourselves. Here's his address - and some "soundbytes" you might want to quote:
Stephen Timms MP, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA, phone 020 7219 4000, fax 020 7219 2949
stephen@stephentimms.org.uk
“There have been difficulties with tax credit administration and overpayment”
If there is an overpayment as a result of an official error, but the customer has met his or her responsibilities as I described, by checking the accuracy of the information on the award notice, the overpayment will be written off.
“if…someone suffers a fall in income…the system can respond quite quickly”–
“HM Revenue and Customs is statutorily obliged to safeguard personal information and all staff have a responsibility for data security”
[of £130m in overpaid pension credit]“ social security law does not allow us to require repayment…. nobody will be forced to pay the money back"
If your income is £34,000 it is easy to spot a problem with a notice saying that it is £340. All people need do is to inform the tax credit office of that error and then there will not be a recoverable overpayment.
“claimants can now expect disputed overpayments to be dealt with within four weeks”
Over to YOU to win your case and help sort the system out properly!
Morpheus: I'm trying to free your mind, Neo. But I can only show you the door. You're the one that has to walk through it. |
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URGENT! Timms WANTS to know...
Posted - 23/09/2009 : 08:01:44