I've been in the same job
on the same wage with the same organisation, working the same hours,
for a decade now. Recently, due to governmental reforms, I've seen my
income plummet after DLA was scrapped and PIP implemented. As a
result of this, for some complex reason, my Working Tax Credits were
also stopped. I spent a long time on the phone to HMRC trying to find
out why this was, to no avail, then I got some pretty clear answers from a
Welfare Rights officer. Also, over the last two weeks I've met with my
manager, visited Get Oldham Working,
an organisation who 'can help you get the skills to secure the
career you want,' and I've visited Positive Steps, an 'integrated support
services for families, young people and adults.'
Everyone I've dealt with has been
hugely helpful. Positive Steps have arranged another meeting with the
Citizen's Advice Bureau- hopefully it'll be a day I can do, although
in all honesty I'm not sure what I'd be talking about- not much has
changed since my last CAB appointment.
Positive Steps also explained:
· Job centre advisors unfortunately only work with
people who are unemployed.
· There is a careers fare at Oldham Library on 14 April 2018
· Get Oldham
Working are running a Raise Programme which you can get in contact by email. employability@oldham.gov.uk
(I've done this.)
In
a separate meeting with my manager, we used an online benefits
calculator that suggests I should be in receipt of over £200 a month
in Tax Credits. After logging into my account it showed that HMRC
couldn't deal with my claim online, but that they received something
(it isn't clear what) in February. Something is being processed and I
should receive more information by the 5th April. It's
probably the letter I sent them asking about why my Working Tax
Credits were stopped, and complaining about the horrendous procedure
I've been thorough when asking for information.
That
said, Citizen's Advice told me that my letter has probably been
ignored as it isn't on a 'dispute form,' something NOBODY told me
anything about- certainly not anyone at HMRC.
I
guess I'll find out after the 5th. I'm meeting Get Oldham Working again next week.
No comments:
Post a Comment