WTC for under 25s

lenny_toucan

I looked in to WTC a little while ago and did a little 'quiz' thing on the govt. website which could tell me if I was entitled to anything. I'm on a pretty dire wage despite working 43 hrs a week, so would be grateful for any help right now.

I was a little suprised to find that I passed on all criteria, except age. Without any children or other dependants, it appears that I'm unable to claim for WTC until I'm 25 (2.5 years time). This doesn't seem to make much sense - how am I any more able to pay my rent than someone a couple of years older than me?

Can anyone one enlighten me on why this is the case?

karenx

the rules won't change just for you. So untill your 25 you won't be able to claim.

System

karenx wrote: »

the rules won't change just for you. So untill your 25 you won't be able to claim.

And that enlightens the OP as to why that's the case how....?

dmg24

OP, you would need to ask the DWP why this is the case. This board is for help on benefit entitlement, not policy discussions.

Jowo_2

Currently, the UK pays out more in benefits than it receives in income tax payments. There are 51 benefits, credits and allowances, all with specific entry and exit criteria.

If the WTC and LHA thresholds for entitlement for those aged over 25 were removed, the UK would be in even a bigger financial hole than before.

state pensions don't get paid out until the person reaches 65, nothing unusual about age as entry criteria for eligibility for certain benefits.

the childless who work pay for child tax credits and child benefit for those who don't.

life ain't fare and is full of arbitrary rules.

i prefer there to be some restrictions rather than encounter further changes in the future to pay for them - such as raising the pension age to 70...

lenny_toucan

Thank you to the helpful posters out there. Perhaps I wasn't clear enough in my OP and I was misunderstood.

I'm not whining about being denied the opportunity to scrounge* off the government (ok, well maybe a little bit), I was just curious. I don't expect the rules to be changed for me, I just wanted to understand why I was not entitled to help because despite being old enough to pay taxes, I'm still too young to claim for help. The pension arguement doesn't seem quite the same (as people have a lifetime to prepare financially, a young person has to start at the bottom of the ladder with no help), but I get you, and it does make it clearer. As you pointed out, the money has to come from somewhere and no one wants higher taxes... it's just a shame we can't cut off the lazy so and sos who don't want to go out and get a job... but this isn't the time or place for that discussion!

*Just because I know 'scrounge' will be misconstrewed, please don't assume I'm one of the affore mentioned lazy so and sos. I work 43 hours a week, and my pay is pretty decent for the industry, despite being less than half the national average, and below the threshold income to claim WTB. I think I'm entitled to be a little bit miffed when I can't claim help that would rightfully be mine if it wasn't for my D.O.B. I also wonder about the many many other under 25s who earn even less than me.

Anyway, thanks

Indie_Kid

dmg24 wrote: »

OP, you would need to ask the DWP why this is the case. This board is for help on benefit entitlement, not policy discussions.

[pendantic mode}Isn't it HMRC who administer WTC?[/pendantic mode]

If you're working 43 hours per week, I seriously doubt you'd get anything anyway.

calleyw

The reason behind under 25's not getting tax credits is because the government expects them to be

i) in education
ii) or an apprenticeship
iii) or in a low paid job
iiii)and /or living at home

Yours


Calley

silvercar

Under 25s with no dependants can live in shared houses and group together for food, utilities etc or they could live in the family home. So they should have cheaper living expenses than people living alone. The WTC rules mirror the LHA rules where under 25s would get a shared accommodation rate rather than a 1 bedroom rate.

Indie_Kid

But once you turn 25, you don't suddenly have extra expenses.

Witter

Hiya, yes you can claim working taxcredit and child taxcredit. I'm 23 with children and i have claimed these since 2005 when i had my daughter i was 17 when i started claiming. So you defo can claim