A SINGLE-MUM owed thousands of pounds by the working tax credit system has been forced out of her home.

Julie Richardson, 33, now of Acomb, York, has been waiting for her working tax credit to be calculated since September. She believes she is owed thousands of pounds, but so far has not seen a penny.

She said: "I'm having to borrow money and I've had to go into a homeless hostel as I can't afford to rent anywhere."

The single mum said she had been renting a room, but got behind on her rent when she was on maternity leave. She had to leave her home and go into temporary council accommodation as, although she is now working again as a cleaner, she cannot get enough money together for a bond.

She says she and her seven-month old son are now living in an unsatisfactory single room. "I'm having to borrow money just so I can eat," she said.

Miss Richardson currently works 20 hours per week at the University of York, but must also pay for a child minder.

She said: "It's not just about money, it's the stress that it causes as well. It's driving me nuts.

"I've been waiting for my working tax credit for four months."

In that time she has had to send her personal details off twice - as HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) claimed they never received them the first time - and has also received a home visit.

She has been sent numerous letters by HMRC, one of the latest telling her £6,688 had been paid into her bank account. She said the HMRC then took the money back out of her account.

Miss Richardson said: "I'm the one who ends up in debt while they work it out. I've waited just over four months to get something.

"I've had nothing but a nightmare with working tax credit. You phone up the helpline and it's not very helpful and I feel like I'm hitting my head against a brick wall. I don't think it's good enough. One person does not seem to know what the other person is doing. The whole system is a cock-up."

A spokesman for HMRC said they could not comment on individual circumstances, but Miss Richardson's case is being looked at and will be treated with urgency.