Can I claim WTC?

Sammie_UK1

My Brother-in-law became a single parent (two children aged 3 & 5) when my sister died and when I was filling out his Working Tax Credit form, I read a line that said that even if you do not have kids, you still may be eligible to claim WTC if you work 16 hours or more.

I work full-time with a salary of £22,000 p/a, I have no children and have been paying tax and Nat Ins since I was 16, so for the last 12 years.

My Husband, who is not a British citizen is here on a spouse visa (I am a British Citizen since birth). My Husband started his own business in October 2008 and his monthly earnings are £600.

We have no children, no investment property or any financial investments. He is 25 and I am 28.

Would I be eligible to claim? We don't want to make an application for my Husband to recieve the benefit as this would affect his visa renewal. I have never claimed any benefits before and the only reason I am enquiring is because we are struggling financially since my Sister passed away as I am taking on all her finances inc her mortgage.

I would really appreciate it if someone could tell me if I would be eligible to claim, soley in my name?

Thanks

Sammie

mitchaa

Working Tax credit has a threshold set around £15-£16k so the answer is No, you cannot claim WTC.

It is supposed to be there to top up low earnings, £22k is deemed as an average wage so there should be no requirement for a top up.

Additionally, you would have to include your husbands earnings on the claim form, you cannot claim singular when living as married with joint incomes.

Sammie_UK1

Thanks for that Mitchaa.. I didn't think I was, but thought I'd better ask just to be sure..

Sammie_UK1

Does anyone else know what other benefits my Brother In Law and Nieces would be entitled to?

I've already completed a Child Benefit Application Form and a Child Tax Credits firm but what others would he be entitled to?

He is self-employed with an annual salary of £7k after tax (My sister was the main earner until she passed away).

There are a few things he needs help with:

There is an outstanding mortgage on the house and with the income into the house being £16k less, He is struggling to keep up the repayments. Can he get help with the mortgage?

Would he be eligible to receive clothing vouchers for school uniforms and also get free school meals?

My youngest niece is 3yrs 3months and attends a daycare centre while her Dad is at work. He pays £240 a month for this; can he get any help with these costs?


Any advice would be much appreciated…

cw18

When did your sister pass away?

If it's recent, then there is a one off Bereavement payment (£2,000) and Widowed Parents Allowance (weekly payments paid whilst CB in force (haven't seen any other time restriction - but I'll only be eligible for just over 18 months due to the age of my youngest), but they won't actually start the weekly payments until the CB has been processed and is in payment). Details are here. I'm not sure how dependant on NI contributions from working they are, as my DH had worked for most of 34 years and been ill for almost 2 years before passing away.

cw18

With regard to child care, he should get help via Tax Credits -- but this is based on income, which will include any WPA he gets (it's a taxable income). They pay a maximum of 80% of £300/week where there is more than one child in the family. (So he could get up to 80% of the £240, which is £192)

krisskross

Sammie_UK1 wrote: »

Does anyone else know what other benefits my Brother In Law and Nieces would be entitled to?

I've already completed a Child Benefit Application Form and a Child Tax Credits firm but what others would he be entitled to?

He is self-employed with an annual salary of £7k after tax (My sister was the main earner until she passed away).

There are a few things he needs help with:

There is an outstanding mortgage on the house and with the income into the house being £16k less, He is struggling to keep up the repayments. Can he get help with the mortgage?

Would he be eligible to receive clothing vouchers for school uniforms and also get free school meals?

My youngest niece is 3yrs 3months and attends a daycare centre while her Dad is at work. He pays £240 a month for this; can he get any help with these costs?


Any advice would be much appreciated…

Quite frankly he may well be better off not to work at all, especially as the children are so young and need him so desperately.

It could be worth his while booking an appointment with either a lone parent advisor at the job centre or with the CAB to check on his options and benefit entitlements.

Now this is the sort of situation that Welfare Benefits are meant for and I sincerely hope that at least his financial problems can be alleviated.

cw18

Sorry for the multiple posts -- I'm thinking 'on the run' while looking after my elder grand-daughter

Has he notified the Council Tax people he's now a sole occupant? That will mean a 25% reduction.



In so far as anything else, Income Support would allow him £60.50/week (the money for the children comes from Tax Credits) which equates to just over £3,100 a year -- so I doubt there's anything else he could get. However, if he qualifies for the £90.70/week WPA (I've actually received a bit more than that which surpised me -- but it's to do with NI conts my DH paid in certain years ), then this would give him an extra £4,700 a year which should help.

viktory

krisskross wrote: »

Quite frankly he may well be better off not to work at all, especially as the children are so young and need him so desperately.

It could be worth his while booking an appointment with either a lone parent advisor at the job centre or with the CAB to check on his options and benefit entitlements.

Now this is the sort of situation that Welfare Benefits are meant for and I sincerely hope that at least his financial problems can be alleviated.

What a lovely post :T and I second it wholeheartedly.

cw18

Sammie_UK1 wrote: »

Would he be eligible to receive clothing vouchers for school uniforms and also get free school meals?

My understanding is that free meals aren't available to anyone getting WTC, but with a taxable income of under £15k he should get a medical excemption card (so no dental, optician or prescription charges to pay).

Vouchers/allowances for school uniforms varies from one council to another. They abolished them around us a few years ago.

Sammie_UK1

I've just had a brief scan at your replies and I am dreading the amount of forms I am going to have to fill in. I work full time and look after my nieces when I get in from 9-5 so rarelly get time to myslef. Will have to get on this ASAP to help B-I-L out.

Also, does anyone know how long it takes to get a reply for an application for Child Tax Credit? I filled out his application in November I think and no reply yet. Does anyone have a number I can call to follow it up on?

Thanks for your replies. I can't tell you how grateful I am for all the help you have offered us..!! THANKS!!