Quick post to seek some advice form my friend.
she rang tax credits to initiate a claim for CTC on 5th December after having some various issues with her claim being stopped some months previous. they were told they were not entitled to any help but were readvised late November that this was not the case and to reapply.
She rang CTC office on 5th December, went over the details and was told claim pack on way.
5th Jauary arrived, still no sign of claim pack ( sh was patient due to Christmas etc so waited 4 weeks ). Rang them again on 5th January to be told there was no record of her call and that she would need to initiate the claim again while the original call was traced via the investigations department.
Still heard nothing by end of January but had a claim pack arrive beginning of Feb which she filled in and returned again ( this was 2nd form and, as advised, she included a letter stating that she wished to have her claim investigated for the backdate to December 5th which was her orignal dat of initiating the claim. )
12th this month she received a payment backdting to 5th January and has now received an award letter saying she will receive CTC basic rate for her 1 child weekly and that the clai has been backdated to her 5th January phone claim.
She rang to raise the question as to why the December 5th claim was never recognised and was told that she was not able to claim back that far despite this being the date she originally rang them.
Is there anything she can do - appeal or similar as she is i a dire situation with her benefits and things right now and could really use all the help available.
Thanks in advance xxx
( should add, due to health issues, her husband lost his job some months ago and, since then they have been told they are not entitled to any help from benefits resulting in the loss of their home and the breakup of their family. Children's services are now involved and helping them to find housing as a family unit, hopefully they have a place to moveinto by Monday but still no attempt from anyone to help with their benefits claim for JSA or the like? ) xx
she rang tax credits to initiate a claim for CTC on 5th December after having some various issues with her claim being stopped some months previous. they were told they were not entitled to any help but were readvised late November that this was not the case and to reapply.
She rang CTC office on 5th December, went over the details and was told claim pack on way.
5th Jauary arrived, still no sign of claim pack ( sh was patient due to Christmas etc so waited 4 weeks ). Rang them again on 5th January to be told there was no record of her call and that she would need to initiate the claim again while the original call was traced via the investigations department.
Still heard nothing by end of January but had a claim pack arrive beginning of Feb which she filled in and returned again ( this was 2nd form and, as advised, she included a letter stating that she wished to have her claim investigated for the backdate to December 5th which was her orignal dat of initiating the claim. )
12th this month she received a payment backdting to 5th January and has now received an award letter saying she will receive CTC basic rate for her 1 child weekly and that the clai has been backdated to her 5th January phone claim.
She rang to raise the question as to why the December 5th claim was never recognised and was told that she was not able to claim back that far despite this being the date she originally rang them.
Is there anything she can do - appeal or similar as she is i a dire situation with her benefits and things right now and could really use all the help available.
Thanks in advance xxx
( should add, due to health issues, her husband lost his job some months ago and, since then they have been told they are not entitled to any help from benefits resulting in the loss of their home and the breakup of their family. Children's services are now involved and helping them to find housing as a family unit, hopefully they have a place to moveinto by Monday but still no attempt from anyone to help with their benefits claim for JSA or the like? ) xx
