julian
refugee resettlement officer, refugee & asylum seekers advice project, leicester
Member since 30th May 2006
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RE: Backdating tax credits for refugees
Wed 04-Mar-09 03:31 PM |
Yes the situation remains the same for refugees. Tax Credits can be backdated to the date of application for asylum as long as the claim is made within 3 months of the notification of status. Just add a letter with the claim making your request & this should eventually be passed to the PFA Section who are actually quite efficient. However, arrears are calculated by deducting all NASS payments made for the family from Tax Credits that would have been due. As a result, although significant payments of arrears can be obtained, in my experience NASS payments often exceed the Tax Credit award. I have raised the issue about NASS deductions being made for periods before children were born & there was no TC entitlement but was advised by TCO that this is their policy & by CPAG that although this might not be the intention of the regs, the wording didn't invite a challenge. Finally, regarding backdating of Child Benefit, contrary to popular wisdom at the time, this hasn't been abolished, again claims need to have been made within 3 months of notification. Julian
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