Overview
- HMRC says it has written to about 38,000 former tax credit customers and plans to contact a further 22,000 by the end of January 2026.
- The exercise reviews historic Child and Working Tax Credit accounts to identify unpaid awards following the switch to Universal Credit.
- Some letters cite older tax years, including 2011–12, with sums owed varying based on individual circumstances.
- Recipients are told how to claim in the letter and can also check their personal tax account or call the tax credits helpline for support.
- HMRC warns people to watch for scams, noting it will not request bank details unexpectedly by letter, phone or email.