Blunder is a poor festive present (From Warrington Guardian)

Blunder is a poor festive present

A WORRIED Northwich family could be facing a bleak Christmas after a computer bungle left them short of much-needed payments.

Lostock resident Lee Smith says he has been left more than £600 out of pocket and faces a scramble to buy Christmas presents for his three young children.

Lee, 30, of Manchester Road, who works part-time at an off licence in Lostock, said he picks up £70 to £80 per week but is also eligible to receive money through the Working Tax Credit and Children's Tax Credit systems via the Inland Revenue. But he added that he has been having considerable problems in obtaining the money due to what was being blamed on computer difficulties.

He said: "For months now, the tax credits system has been an utter joke and we have not received any WTC or CTC in our bank accounts. Instead we are issued giro cheques as and when we complain.

"The giros are now starting to go missing and when we phone the helpline we are told there is always a 'computer error'.

"We are now waiting for a giro issued two weeks ago for more than £400. It has now been lost and we are told that we would have to wait for a 'replacement form' to be sent out to us. Unfortunately the admin department of the helpline has forgotten to send it out on two occasions.

"As a family with three children, we are finding times hard and we are wondering when the situation is to improve or if there is to be any compensation to that effect. Time and time again these errors occur, no progress is made and we are at our wits' end as to what to do next."

Lee said he was hoping to get presents for his children Terri, seven; Rachael, three; and Jade, one, in time for Christmas.

But he added: "I have had to pile money out of my wages just to cover the rent and we could really do with the payments being sorted out.

"I believe this could be a nationwide problem."

A spokesman for the Inland Revenue said: "We cannot discuss any individual cases on the grounds of confidentiality but we will be in contact with our customers to resolve any outstanding issues they might have."

jbrakell@guardiangrp.co.uk