Reduced Working Hours-no Working Tax Credit. Help And Advice Needed

elaine373

I have had a bit of a shock today. Basically, I was working 16 hours per week and my husband was working 12.My boss has cut my hours to 9 per week. I informed the tax credits people and assumed all would be ok, as combined ,we were still working21 hours. I was so wrong. I have now been told that one of us has to be working 16 hours. doesnt matter if we are both working 15 hours, we wont get working tax credit. My question is, how does that leave us financially? I am getting less wages but have also lost my working tax credits? Any advice gratefully received.

duchy

Your hours don't have to be all from one job (just from one person) so if you can find something-even self employed if you are prepared to register as self employed and do a tax return each year you'll qualify. Maybe something like Avon ?

dmg24

How much do you each earn? Is there a reason why either of you cannot work fulltime?

elaine373

dmg24 wrote: »

How much do you each earn? Is there a reason why either of you cannot work fulltime?

Minimum wage and we would both love to have more hours.Husband aske his boss for more hours but theres not alot going. He is struggling with applying for other jobs and i believe that may be down to the fact he is now in his 50`s. I have just had my hours cut at work due to the fact the people i work for have lost their job(the husband i mean, I am a mothers help/nanny)We moved to the west midlands last year and have struggled since.(Big mistake moving here and did it for personal reasons) My
Husband worked for 25 years as a taxi driver down south and has been refused a badge up hereI have been a stay at home mum to 7 children and now the youngest is at school i certainly dont want to be sat on my backside twiddling my thumbs.I started working as soon as i could. However i do want to be there if possible when the children are out of school.
I was asking what my options were and hope its only paranoia thats making me think you are judging our situation??

Kimberley

Do a check with entitledto.com to see what you are entitled to.
http://entitledto.com/

dmg24

No, not judging, just can't give more information without more facts.

21 hours @ £5.73 = £120.33

This will put you above income support levels (unless either of you are disabled?), but you could still be entitled to help with rent and council tax.

Do you have children? If so, you need to advise HMRC and ask them to assess your Child Tax Credit entitlement on this year's income (if it is not already being done in this way).

Is there any way that your husband can appeal the badge decision?

elaine373

dmg24 wrote: »

No, not judging, just can't give more information without more facts.

21 hours @ £5.73 = £120.33

This will put you above income support levels (unless either of you are disabled?), but you could still be entitled to help with rent and council tax.

Do you have children? If so, you need to advise HMRC and ask them to assess your Child Tax Credit entitlement on this year's income (if it is not already being done in this way).

Is there any way that your husband can appeal the badge decision?

Sorry about misunderstanding your helpfulness.:o
Husband has one last shot of obtaining a badge as it will be his third try in a year (maximum allowances to ty for a badge)so we will have a last go at that.
funny you should say about the child tax credit award as they did have me down as having estimated earnings which were higher than they will be so i amended that today.
I might have to apply for housing and council tax benefit,although i really dont want to. in And keep trying for a longer hours job.On a positive note, i put an ad on gumtree and have had some responses already, so maybe my worries will be short lived. Many thanks for your help.

LizzieS_2

Can you get some hours related to school - lunchtime playground assitant, cook, cleaner, or even road-crossing patrol so your total hours are then 16?

joanne2008

Just a thought have you ever thought about working as a childminder that way you are home for your children and can work full time and get the wftc and tax credits. I also get help with my rent and council tax.

elaine373

joanne2008 wrote: »

Just a thought have you ever thought about working as a childminder that way you are home for your children and can work full time and get the wftc and tax credits. I also get help with my rent and council tax.

Yes i have thought of that many times and i am seriously considering it now. What confuses me is,doesnt it take approx a year to get registered ? How does it work at the beginning? I mean how can you advertise as registered if you arent fully approved? iyswim

Kimberley

Elaine did you look on entitledto.com?