PhD and tax credits

ella_minnow

I'd be very grateful if anyone can help me with this one -I haven't been able to find any answers so far, and CAB didn't know!

I'm about to be made redundant and am considering applying for a PhD. I am also a single parent and have two children under 10.

My question relates to my eligibility to continue to receive Child Tax Credits (essential for childcare) and Working Tax Credits.

The living allowance is tax free and is around £13,500. Other than this I would have no income, apart from tax credits.

I suspect I may also have to work for 16 hours a week to be eligible, but can't find anyone to confirm this. Does anyone know what I would be entitled to receive, if anything? By the way, I also live in Northern Ireland.

Many thanks
EMP

Oldernotwiser

Are you sure that you'd receive funding for a PhD? It's notoriously hard to get.

Indie_Kid

You're not classed as working for tax credits purposes if you're a student and not actually in paid employment.

Aliasaila

They'll take the stippend into account when assessing you for child tax credit (as it's "other income" so they'll factor in £13,200 of it). As you're not in paid work you will not be eligable for working tax credits or for the childcare element of child tax credits. You would need to get a job and work for 16 hours in addition to studying for your PhD.