Child/Working Tax Credit Eligibility

alexjramsay1

Hi

I'm about to become a father for the first time (yay!) and have been trying to look into the sort of benefits myself and my girlfriend will be eligible for.

We were both in a fantastic job until Nov 10 when we got made redundant - she's not worked since then and fell pregnant just after we left. I have been in Employment but have taken a big reduction in salary, from around £26k to a basic salary of 15k with limited extra earning potential.

Obviously I know that Child Benefit is a given, but on looking into the other forms of benefit it seems that my/our past earnings will penalise us now. Can anyone in a similar situation confirm what figures the assessments are likely to be based on please?

Thanks

Alex

Cornish_piskie

Congratulations daddy-to-be:)

You should qualify for both Child Tax Credits and Working Tax Credits. When you make your claim you will be asked what you earned as a couple for the year 2010/11 you will then be asked whether your income will be different for 2011/12 - they will then base your entitlement on this.