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Child Tax Credit at a rate higher than the family element

Please can a kind soul tell me - what does this actually mean:

"Child Tax Credit at a rate higher than the family element"?

I'm trying to see if we may theoretically be entitled with some help for something and this is the only bit that we may qualify on, if only I understood it.

(I have a severe mental block about tax credits).

Thank you.
:heartsmil When you find people who not only tolerate your quirks but celebrate them with glad cries of "Me too!" be sure to cherish them. Because these weirdos are your true family.

Comments

  • skylight
    skylight Posts: 10,720 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker Home Insurance Hacker!
    You need to check your child tax credit award and see what it says. I *think* (check on HMRC website) that the family element is £545 ish and if your family amount on that is higher then you get a rate higher than the family element.

    However, some help (ie with school meals) you are not entitled if you get working tax credit at all.
  • mitchaa
    mitchaa Posts: 4,487 Forumite
    whitewing wrote: »
    Please can a kind soul tell me - what does this actually mean:

    "Child Tax Credit at a rate higher than the family element"?

    I'm trying to see if we may theoretically be entitled with some help for something and this is the only bit that we may qualify on, if only I understood it.

    (I have a severe mental block about tax credits).

    Thank you.

    You need to tell us your joint annual income before anyone can help.

    If you earn more than around £23k pa you will not be on CTC at higher than family element.
  • whitewing
    whitewing Posts: 11,852 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Thank you. You have both been very helpful.
    :heartsmil When you find people who not only tolerate your quirks but celebrate them with glad cries of "Me too!" be sure to cherish them. Because these weirdos are your true family.
  • JessicaF_2
    JessicaF_2 Posts: 121 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    It is entirely possible to be on a rate higher than the family element if you earn more than £23,000, it depends on how many children you have, if they have disabilities, if you have disabilities, if you have high childcare costs etc...

    Basically, tax credits work by adding together all of the WTC and or CTC elements that you qualify for to give a maximum.

    This maximum amount is then tapered depending on your income. The order it is tapered away is WTC first, then childcare, then CTC, then family element only.

    So if you have a very high maximum amount (i.e. lots of childcare and some disabilities) it is possible to receive tax credits above the family element up to incomes in excess of 50,000.

    Have a look at your award notice - if you get more that 545 (or 1090 if you have a child under 1) it is likely you receive CTC at a rate higher than the family element.

    Jess
  • bonnie_2
    bonnie_2 Posts: 1,463 Forumite
    We earn £24000 and have 3 kids one with a dissability, I am also dissabled and we get £154 a week so yes it is possible.
  • whitewing
    whitewing Posts: 11,852 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Thank you all - I think it does apply to us.
    :heartsmil When you find people who not only tolerate your quirks but celebrate them with glad cries of "Me too!" be sure to cherish them. Because these weirdos are your true family.
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