Some of you may have seen my post a couple of weeks ago worrying about how we were going to cope, well it's a whole lot better now!

I rang the Tax Credits the other day to give them the final figures for 2007/2008. He said he couldn't take them as yet as they had temporarily closed all the accounts and were re-opening them a few at a time to do the final figures. He said we'd get a letter when it was opened. Anyway, I was just about to go when he said "while I've got you, we can go through your estimates for this year if you like?" So I did.

Well, we had had a letter in February saying that they were only going to pay us £40-odd a month. The guy on the phone told me this was based on an estimated joint income of £38,000 a year! I told him it was more like £31,000 and he changed it and said a new award notice was on it's way. I wasn't holding me breath.

But I've just logged onto Internet banking and there's 2 payments today! One is for the original £40.96, and the other is for £239.35!!!!!!!!

I've not had my award letter yet, but that has just put us in the black for the first time in months!!

And I still have money to come from last year as well as we earnt £2500 less than the estimate!!!

I can tax the car at the end of the month now!!!

phew!what a relief!

Oh thats great news hun

Great News x

Is that because you earned less than they expected Amanda?

My boss seems to think I'll have a little lump sum from somewhere because I've been on MAT pay but wasn't sure if that was from tax creds or will be on my wage!

be from your tax creds wobbles, thats if you didnt alter your income details to accomodate your drop in pay due to mat leave. check your p60 or the last payslip of the year and look at total taxable earnings and compare it to what you expected to earn for that year on last years award notice (if you still have it lol) more than likely you should get an underpayment and theyll pay what they owe. just ring up with your actual income and that should set the ball rolling.

Amanda.. did they send you a review sheet this year? i had one last year but i've not had one yet this year where you fill in all your details and income etc? wonder whether i should give them a ring.

also a MAJOR piece of advice...when you are telling them your income details for the year...remember the time you were off on maternity leave...no matter how much money you get you take off £100 a week...

for example if you have the smp now at 117.25 a week you only have to declare 17.25 a week...the tax credits have told me this and i have had it in writing to confirm!!

h x

That's great news

Are you sure I get my MAT pay through payroll not the dhss department or whatever its called.