‘Benefit fiasco ruining my life’

4:35pm Friday 9th May 2008

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A single father faces losing his job and his home over what he says is the Inland Revenue's inefficency to process his benefit claim.

Ian McDonald, 32, from Exeter Road, Feltham, was forced to take his two-year-old daughter out of nursery school as he could not afford the £800 monthly fee without the childcare benefits he should be receiving.

As a single parent in full time employment Mr McDonald is entitled to the Government's working tax credit, which offers up to 80 per cent reductions on childcare - introduced to entice single parents back to work.

However, Mr McDonald said he had not received any help since starting his new job in January, leaving him unable to pay childcare fees or rent to his landlord.

Mr McDonald said: "I went to hand my notice in last week but my bosses were telling me not to go.

I've had to ask a friend to look after my child but I don't know how long that will last.

"My daughter is at the age where she needs to learn and be around other kids.

"The Inland Revenue called me on Tuesday to say they were finally processing the forms, but their system is not showing them how much I'm entitled to yet.

"They were meant to call me back on Wednesday but I still haven't heard from them."

He has also been stung with a £250 phone bill caused by the Inland Revenue's expensive phone charges.

Mr McDonald contacted Feltham and Heston MP Alan Keen for support.

Speaking on Friday, a spokesman from Mr Keen's office said: "Alan Keen made a formal representation to the Inland Revenue and there have been many calls made back and forth with them."

A spokesman from the Inland Revenue said: "Due to customer confidentiality we are not able to discuss an individual's tax matters with a third party.

"However we are investigating this case as a matter of urgency and apologise for any inconvenience caused."