A MOTHER-of-two says she is "furious" after her child tax credit claim was rejected on the basis that she earned £200,000 - almost 10 times her actual income.

The 43-year-old, who did not wish to be named, said she was feeling "stressed" at being unable to point out the Inland Revenue bungle because she could not get through on the tax credit helpline.

"I wouldn't mind if I earned £200,000," said the woman from Broadwas-on-Teme, near Worcester. "But our combined income is only £20,000.

"The worst thing is I can't get through on the helpline to tell them they've made a mistake.

Shocking

"It's constantly engaged and I've been trying all hours of the day. It's obvious it's a computer error, but how can they put it right when I can't get through to tell them about it? It's shocking because I applied for this in January.

"I was getting about £1,560 per year before the new child tax credits came in, so I was expecting something."

And Tracey Jones, of Avon Road, Worcester, is also angry at the delay in receiving her money.

After filling in her tax credit form and returning it in January, the 32-year-old expected a payment in April.

However, the only thing that arrived was another application form.

"I couldn't believe it when I got a letter asking for the same information I had already supplied them with," said Ms Jones, who has a two-year-old son.

Delay tactic

"It makes me wonder if they've lost my form and are using this as a delaying tactic."

Mother-of-three Carey Yeomans, of Northwick Avenue, Worcester, says she was "shocked" to receive four identical letters telling her she was not entitled to any tax credit payments.

"I'm sure they've made a mistake because the letters say that if I sign and return the award notice they may be able to re-start payments - but I've had no payments, nor an award notice, so it doesn't make sense."