A disabled mother-of-three said she has been left without her weekly income since new Government tax credits came into force.

Zena Wotton from Hay Lane North, Braintree, had been receiving her child tax credit by post to her home. But since the Government changeover, she says the Giro credits have failed to arrive.

Mrs Wotton said she and her husband, a factory worker, are entitled to £96 per week to support their family of three teenagers.

She said: "We moved because this house has a downstairs toilet, which I need. I have phoned up the Inland Revenue and given them our new address four times, and I have spoken to them about the tax credits many more times. I am told they will be in the post or that they will be arriving this week and they never do."

A spokeswoman for Inland Revenue said she could not comment on individual cases.

She added: "I would advise going into the local tax office which would be able to take down the details. She could also ring her local tax office which could arrange for someone to come out and see her if she has problems with mobility.

"However that could be slightly delayed because we are so busy with the new tax credit system."

Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit are part of the Government's programme for tackling poverty and making it more beneficial to work.

Published Friday, June 6, 2003

Brought to you by the Evening Gazette