Casual work

carwil

I think this has been covered before, but here goes. I started casual work a few months ago, hours range from 5 - 30 plus. I was originally informed that I would only have to inform tax credit office about hours worked under 16 or over 30. Recently, after changing my claim over the phone, I was told that I have to inform them every week if my hours alter. Is this correct? Also they continue to pay child tax credit even though I have informed them that my daughter is at university, they say it is due to me - worrying!

DreamerV

If you were working between 16 and 30hrs on average already, and your hours did not go below 16 or above 30 on average, then you wouldn't really need to inform tax credits, although if for example you were working 16hrs on average, then 29hrs on average, it probably makes a dramatic difference to your income, and it's always worthwhile keeping income details up to date. If your hours are changeable, it's best to keep a record yourself, then taking an average at the end of 4wks and phoning them and letting them know of the start date of the 4wks and how many hours you averaged. As you have 30days to inform them of changes, this is doable.

With regards to ctc even though your child has gone to university....without seeing your claim, its hard to work out why. Some university courses would still qualify the child for tax credits though...but not degree courses. It's worth just phoning and asking them why your child still qualifies, if you think it's wrong.