Last year I decided to put my children into childcare because I started a self employed job which was working long hours. To cut a long story short, I had a bad time last year and suffered depression so my children missed a lot of their time at the child care provider and all in all only attended 2 sessions.
I completely forgot to ring up tax credits to inform them that my children had not gone to their childcare as much as I had assumed they would when I put in a claim, so obviously there will be a large overpayment.
I suffered a nervous breakdown this year and have been signed off working for 6mths with severe depression, anxiety, high bloody pressure so am currently under my dr and the mental health team and getting as much support as possible as I am a single mum of 3 young children. CAB are helping me with finances as at the moment I am earning nothing as I cant even get out the house and my mum has been caring for me 7 days a week for the past few months. CAB advised me to claim ESA which I have but I am now worried that tax credit will come down hard on me because I didnt use the child care provider last year as much as I estimated that I would and I never rang them to say I had not been using the childcare apart from the 2 occasions. I just completely forgot to ring tax credits and tell them due to my depression.
I have now written to them apologizing and asked how much I will need to repay them, but wondered if they will come down hard on me and will they take me to court or fine me?
If anyone has any knowledge on this I would be greatful for your advise as I am worried sick.
I completely forgot to ring up tax credits to inform them that my children had not gone to their childcare as much as I had assumed they would when I put in a claim, so obviously there will be a large overpayment.
I suffered a nervous breakdown this year and have been signed off working for 6mths with severe depression, anxiety, high bloody pressure so am currently under my dr and the mental health team and getting as much support as possible as I am a single mum of 3 young children. CAB are helping me with finances as at the moment I am earning nothing as I cant even get out the house and my mum has been caring for me 7 days a week for the past few months. CAB advised me to claim ESA which I have but I am now worried that tax credit will come down hard on me because I didnt use the child care provider last year as much as I estimated that I would and I never rang them to say I had not been using the childcare apart from the 2 occasions. I just completely forgot to ring tax credits and tell them due to my depression.
I have now written to them apologizing and asked how much I will need to repay them, but wondered if they will come down hard on me and will they take me to court or fine me?
If anyone has any knowledge on this I would be greatful for your advise as I am worried sick.