Not sure what to do

[ilovebees]

Hello I wondered whether somebody could offer me any advice please.

Around 9 years ago we received a child tax credit letter saying there had been an overpayment made. I requested the details to check it, however proof was ever sent.

6 years ago my wife became very ill and was left disabled needing 24 hour care, so our circumstances changed drastically. 3 years ago a bailiff letter arrived wanting the full amount paying for this child tax credit case again. I telephoned the bailiff to explain what had happened in the past, and we still needed proof of this overpayment, and because of our present circumstances nothing would be able to be paid in full. They were not interested.

I telephoned the tax credit office and told them of the bailiff letter, and what had happened in the past, the lady told me to get a financial statement and send it to the bailiffs, apparently the bailiffs referred the case back to the tax office saying they could not recover what they wanted. The tax credit office shelved the case for a time to see if our circumstances changed, which they have not.

A few weeks ago just before Christmas another letter arrived from the tax office wanting full payment. I telephoned them again and explained the past and that nothing had changed, the lady told me not to worry and they would contact me again in 12 months. 2 weeks after this another bailiff letter arrived from Rossendales, I rang the tax office again and they told me to ring the bailiff and tell them it would be held for another time. Rossendales were absolutely awful, didnt believe me and said they wanted payment. So I rang the tax office Again they told me to ring Rossendales back, and explain they were shelving the case again. The answer from Rossendales, dont believe you we will send a financial statement fill it in or else we will visit !

What do I do ??? I am being told by child tax credit to tell them to send the case back, and Rossendales are telling me something different. Can anyone tell me what I should do please.

Thank you

[Amethyst]

Re: Not sure what to do

Did child Tax Credits refuse to engage at all with Rossendale?

I would just send Rossendale the financial statement for now so there's no visit, and get back on to tax credits - possibly in the form of a formal complaint about their refusing to deal with the bailiffs - they engaged the bailiff and it is there responsibility to tell the bailiff they are holding the case. I'd also tell your MP what's going on, they might be able to intervene or give tax credits a whack.

[ilovebees]

Re: Not sure what to do

Hello and Thank you very much Amethyst

The Tax credits lady told me to tell Rossendales to send back the file to them after my first initial call. I explained about home life and my wife etc and she said dont worry just tell Rossendales to send the file back. But when I telephoned Rossendales they didnt believe me, so again I telephoned the tax credit office and spoke to another person, they told me to tell the bailiff because we were a hardship case to send the file back.

So again I telephoned this Rossendales and their representative was awful, told me "we will be sending financial statement,makes sure you fill it in" Also they wont send the file back as tax office hasn't told them too. I also explained that we had gone through this before and because another bailiff had assessed our financial income, and my wife's illness that would never improve they actually sent it back to the tax office after investigating it. They completely refused to listen to me and have sent the finance statement out already.

I care for my wife on my own 24 hours a day with no help, and I just did what the tax office told me to do, now I have these people talking to me as if I am telling lies.

[Amethyst]

Re: Not sure what to do

Just ignore them, seriously, they are shoe bottom scrapings and treat everyone the same way. Best not to speak with them by phone if you can avoid it. I know the tax credits peeps have 'rules' but it wouldn't take much for them to call the hounds off themselves really, blinkin annoying. Just send back the FS and let Tax credits know you have done and fingers crossed it should get passed back without any more hassle.

How much is this overpayment for btw? And did they ever send you any evidence of it or calculations ?? Might be worth having a complaint about that as well while you're complaining about the bailiff situation.

[ilovebees]

Re: Not sure what to do

I was actually thinking of writing to Rossendales to say that I am putting it in writing what the tax office have told me to tell them, that they want the case back as they are putting it on hold. This is what the tax office told me. Why the tax office who they gave the case to this Rossendales in the first place, cannot just make a call to stop it is beyond me.

[Kati]

Re: Not sure what to do

Can you not get the tax office to put what they said in writing at all :noidea: ... I DO agree with you that HMRC should be the ones to reign in "To$$endale$" but if you get even an email that you can forward it's got to be worth a try xx

[ilovebees]

Re: Not sure what to do

Hello Katie.
Thank you for your reply, very kind of you to answer as well. Yes that would be the easier option for them to ring but its so difficult getting something as easy as this done. I just wanted to know if it would be viable to to ring the HMRC yet again.

I care for my wife 24/7 on my own, and have many things to do throughout the day, it would be good if they would sort this out. I shall ring and tell them that these people will not believe me when I tell them that the hrmc has told me to tell them to send it back.

[Scousebird333]

Re: Not sure what to do

Whilst i cant claim experience with tax credits people.(always get name of who you spoke too though)
.... rossendales i do however.... bunch of bullies and they will always send someone out as thats how they bump up their fees.
may i suggest you put everything in writing (send signed for).
I would include the facts and what you have been told by tax people (quote names!) Plus... stress the situation regard no change in financial circumstances, deterioration in health etc and your role as carer. Then add that you find their lack of helpfulness tantermount to debt harassment and adding to an already stressful situation and will not deal with, or be responsible for any costs associated with, any doorstep reps.
You insist that they refer the file back to tax credits.
also copy that letter to tax people and with cover letter and income/expenditure state you wish to deal only with them due to the stresses you are under. Then ask again for a statement of acc etc..... or what it is they claim etc....
FYI. As tax credits instructed ressendales.... they have a duty of care and responsibility of actions of their 'agent' so can be held responsible (i had similar issues but with rates/council...) so have to be seen as to acknowledge your concerns about rossendale actions/behaviour.

Debt harassment... especially when ill health can be substantiated is frowned upon.....
appreciate you probably over loaded and writing letters another hurdle, but where rossendale concerned letters only way to go.......

[ilovebees]

Re: Not sure what to do

Thank you so much for your reply Scousebird333. I have been feeling the strain lately with this and I suppose being spoken to as if I have done something wrong does not make you feel very good at all. I shall attempt to call the Tax credits yet again tomorrow when I have the chance too. Thank you all so much for your help, I will try and get this sorted.

My best wishes to you all for the help you have kindly given me.