no tax credits!! working less than 30 hr, help

rigtown

Hello,

As a single parent working 22 hours a week , I was entitled to child and working tax credits,
.
But now my daughter is going to university and naturally the benefits have stopped from August 31st

However I can't understand why I can only claim tax credits again if I work more than 30 hours a week. it seem counter intuitive to me , as only working 22 hours I need more help than someone working more hours!

can you please explain it to me, and is there anything that I can claim, until I can and get more work!

thanks

Duncombe

Them's the rules. If you are an adult over 25 with no dependents (as you now are) you must work over 30 hours a week to claim WTC.

dmg24

You have had eighteen years to find a job with more hours, this is not an unexpected change in circumstances. The reason WTC are not available for healthy adults with no dependents working less than 30 hours is because there is nothing to stop you working more hours. Good luck in your search for more work.

rigtown

Bit Harsh dmg24!! I did have a job with more hours, but times are hard! but thanks for the input. trying to get more hours, but it seem strange that if i manage to earn more money 'then' they give me some benefits !!

Duncombe

rigtown wrote: »

Bit Harsh dmg24!! I did have a job with more hours, but times are hard! but thanks for the input. trying to get more hours, but it seem strange that if i manage to earn more money 'then' they give me some benefits !!

While I do sort of understand your thinking......think of it as rewarding those who work to sustain themselves and their families, rather than relying on tax-payers money.

dmg24

rigtown wrote: »

Bit Harsh dmg24!! I did have a job with more hours, but times are hard! but thanks for the input. trying to get more hours, but it seem strange that if i manage to earn more money 'then' they give me some benefits !!

Hopefully once you are working more hours you should be earning enough to be self sufficient!

MissMoneypenny

Duncombe wrote: »

While I do sort of understand your thinking......think of it as rewarding those who work to sustain themselves and their families, rather than relying on tax-payers money.

If they are claiming tax credits then they aren't working "to sustain themselves and their families" as other tax payers are feeding and clothing the claiments family.

Duncombe

MissMoneypenny wrote: »

If they are claiming tax credits then they aren't working "to sustain themselves and their families" as other tax payers are feeding and clothing their families.

The more they earn...the less they can claim. And by working more hours...you automatically earn more money.

MissMoneypenny

Duncombe wrote: »

The more they earn...the less they can claim. And by working more hours...you automatically earn more money.

That still doesn't alter the fact that they aren't sustaining themselves and their own families, if they are claiming tax credits.

Duncombe

MissMoneypenny wrote: »

That still doesn't alter the fact that they aren't sustaining themselves and their own families, if they are claiming tax credits.

By your logic, anyone who claims CB is also not fully sustaining their famillies..tax payers are doing it for them. Is this the argument you wish to pursue?

AnxiousMum

rigtown wrote: »

Bit Harsh dmg24!! I did have a job with more hours, but times are hard! but thanks for the input. trying to get more hours, but it seem strange that if i manage to earn more money 'then' they give me some benefits !!

Not harsh at all - just the facts!

You have no barrier now to obtaining more hours where you are working, or another part time job to supplement your income.

Alot of small part time jobs are being ignored by jobseekers - our small village has several restaurant jobs, bar jobs etc., but because they're only 8 hours per week, most people aren't interested. It's a perfect 'salary topper' though in order to earn more money. If you manage to get 30 hours, you may then be entitled to some additional help via the working families tax credits program.