Last year I raised an issue through the Tax Credit Consultation Group about difficulties claimants (and advisers) were encountering when trying to get a claim form.

The two main problems were:

(a) claimants were contacting the helpline only to be refused a claim form because the operator decided they were not entitled. The examples we saw related to people trying to make protective claims (helpline refused to issue as income was too high), people subject to immigration control (not entitled, so no form issued ), people who only needed 16hrs due to the disability element (helpline said they were not in receipt of a 'qualifying benefit'). Another common cause of refusal was where a person did not have a NINO.

(b) The helpline were refusing to issue claim forms to advisers who were contacting them on behalf of claimants.

I have been asked by HMRC whether there are still problems getting a claim form. If anyone has encountered difficulties recently, can you either email me the details (victoriatodd29@yahoo.co.uk) or post them here.

Thanks in advance

Victoria
(LITRG)