Money Saving Expert is encouraging anyone who missed the July 31 renewal deadline for Tax Credits to act now as there could still be a way to have payments reinstated by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
A few days before the deadline, HMRC warned that more than 300,000 Tax Credits customers across the UK had not yet returned their completed renewal packs, putting their payments at risk of stopping.
Money Saving Expert reports that letters have now been sent out to everyone claiming Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit who failed to return their renewal pack on time offering them an opportunity to get in touch.
MoneySavingExpert.com said: “These letters are dated, and if you get in touch with HMRC within 30 days of the date on your letter, your Tax Credits claim might be restored. If your claim is reinstated, any payments due to you will be made.”
There are two ways to get in touch with HMRC about reinstatement.
You can either contact HMRC by phone on 0345 300 3900 - just make sure you've got your letter to hand with relevant reference details - or write to them. Full contact details are on the letter and the GOV.UK website here.
Tax Credits are a form of financial assistance designed to top-up wages of low-income workers or people with disabilities.
It is no longer possible to make a new claim for either Working Tax Credits or Child Tax Credits as these are legacy benefits, instead, you would need to make a claim for Universal Credit.
Find out more about claiming Universal Credit and if you are missing out on benefits here.
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