Any CTC/Working Tax Credit Experts

bestmumof3

Wonder if you can help me (on several accounts)

I am married with 3 children, all in child care. I finished my employment end April 2008 on a voluntary redundancy (salary £11,000 job sharing). Started temp part time post in local school mid May (salay 5k job sharing). Finish soon, as due to start full-time Teacher Training Post Grad at Uni for 1 year.

Questions:

Have been advised that I will not be entitled to any assistance with childcare from WTC once I start Uni (childcare costs rising to almost £200 per week);

Advised that current entitlement to CTC is £540 every 4 weeks:):) due to reduction in salary (really dont think this is correct). OH's salary is averaged at £27k for this financial year. Whilst I am still working.

I know this is a "WORKING TAX", however I also thought it was a FAMILY TAX CREDIT. However, when I advise them that my family income is reducing and my childcare costs are INCREASING (because I am at Uni full-time) my family will be so much more worse off.

hotblu

Hello bestmumof3,

First off, Working Families Tax Credits Ceased in 02/03. This was replaced by Tax Credits, which has two parts to it; Child Tax Credits and Working Tax Credits. Once you go back to university your tax credits claim will be assessed for child tax and working tax based on your partners annual salary and the amount you have earnt to date in the tax year. Your household will no longer qualify for help with childcare cost's as to meet the eligiblity criteria for this both applicant's need to be working a minimum of 16 hours per week each. Although you childcare cost's will increase, the fact that you are at university will not be taken into account I am afraid.

HTH

Hotblu