working tax credit problem

crispess

Hi,
Perhaps someone out there could offer me some advice, I currently work 30 hours a week as a teaching assistant and I would like to reduce my hours to spend more time with my elderly parents. My boss has said that if I reduce my hours I would have to take a reduction on my hourly rate. I am in a dilemma as to what to do as I cant afford to lose money or at least not much, can anyone say if tax credits would be increased so that I wouldn't lose too much.

bestpud

Do you have children, a partner, a disability, or a combination of them?

Auzelia

why would you have to take a reduction on your hourly rate?

skint-student-nurse

http://www.taxcredits.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/Qualify/DIQHousehold.aspx here is the calculator where you can work out what your entitled to.

alwaysonthego_2

If you are a single person, then you will lose your tax credits if you work less than 30 hours. If you have dependant children then your wtc should increase.

crispess

Auzelia wrote: »

why would you have to take a reduction on your hourly rate?

because at the moment I am paid as an higher level teaching assistant where I actually cover teaching for so many hours a week while the teacher has PPA which is a planning and preparation time that now legally has to be given to every teacher. I guess if I drop my hours and go part time they would have to get someone else to do that while I reverted to a normal teaching assistant on a lower point of pay.

crispess

bestpud wrote: »

Do you have children, a partner, a disability, or a combination of them?

I have a daughter but she will be 16 in february although she will be in full time education for two more years. I don't have a partner.

crispess

I didnt think I would lose working tax credit altogether, I thought they were still paid as long as you kept over 16 hours a week.

Auzelia

you would however lose your 30 + hour element if you dropped to under 30 hours.
I dropped from over 30 to 16 hours and lost about £13 a week due to this,

Oldernotwiser

crispess wrote: »

I didnt think I would lose working tax credit altogether, I thought they were still paid as long as you kept over 16 hours a week.

As your child is now 16, it may depend on whether they stay in full time education or not.

cw18

I assume your DD is taking GCSEs this school year -- in which case you'll get Tax Credits until she finshes the course.

If she stays on for 'A' levels (or another "approved" course) from September, you will retain Tax Credits whilst she's doing that course.