For single parents

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Message from the tax credit office: Renew your tax credits now or your payments could stop

HM Revenue & Customs, which deals with tax credits, has asked us to let you know that the deadline for renewing your tax credits is nearly here.
They say: 'You need to complete and return your tax credits annual declaration form by 31 July.
You can also give us the information by phoning the tax credit helpline on 0845 300 3900. If you do not, your current year payments will be stopped and you may have to pay back any payments you've received since April 2010. 
You still need to provide the information even if your claim has stopped or you don't want to claim anymore. 
This is because the information you provide is used to check whether you were correctly paid for the period April 2009 to April 2010.'
If you need more information you can phone the freephone independent Gingerbread Single Parent Helpline on 0808 802 0925.

Now child maintenance is worth more
Could you gain from the recent child support change? If you're on income support (or job seeker's allowance or employment and support allowance), you can now keep all of any child maintenance you receive (rather than having it deducted from your benefit).
Might the new, extra money you're entitled to be a help in paying for all the clothes your kids need - or activities for them? If you're studying, could it help with childcare costs? If you're looking towards a return to work, might it even make it worthwhile to top up earnings from a small job while on benefit, as a stepping stone into the world of work?
We're looking for people who could benefit from the change to be media case studies.
To find out more email jane.ahrends@gingerbread.org.uk
Make sure you know what you're entitled to: call Gingerbread's free Single Parent Helpline on 0808 802 0925 and visit the government's child support options website

Help us campaign for a fair deal for single parents at work and on benefits

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