WTC: Will I get £89 or £45?

Shawn_Dark

This is so worrying!

I am looking to start a new job paying around £13k. I have been doing some research into how much WTC I will get.

I spoke to the Job Centre (had a benefits calculation meeting) and also contacted a site called Turn2Us. They both only did a calculation and stressed that their information was only an estimate.

They all seem to think I will get £89 a week. So that would make it a total of £189 a week:

- £100 a week CTC (which I am currently getting).
- £89 a week WTC.

However, I am concerned because I rang the Tax Credits helpline last night (around 7:40pm) and the ladt on the phone said I would only get £145 a week (£45 of which would be the WTC element).

I am a bit dubious about the call because it was just before the helpline closes and the lady didnt take many details. I cant remember for certain but I dont think she even took my NI number! Just a few rough details.

I guess my question is, is there any way of finding out for certain what you will get? Or is it a case of getting estimates (e.g. use the direct.gov benefits calculator) and then apply and hope for the best?

My problem is, I cant afford to take on this job with only £45 a week WTC. Realisticall I need at least £90 a week... due to:

1) My wife being pregnant (due early nov.).
2) Me having to work out of town.
3) Me having rent a room (in additon to our current house rental).

If I were to start the job and get £45 a week WTC I would immediately start falling into debt at the end of each month.

HappyMJ

Much more information needed. How many children? Basically the same answers to the questions on entitledto. You would get £89.18 based on last years income of NIL and £108.29 CTC's assuming 2 kids but....it may not be accurate at all. That's the maximum amount. If you had a consistent income of £13,000 you would get £145.87 per week made up of £37.58 WTC and £108.29 CTC's. Then it all changes when Child 3 comes along.... I'd work with the £145.87 and treat any extra you get as a bonus to save with. Not spending it just in case. Tax credits are confusing.

And remember too that the extra tax credits you get will reduce the Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit you get reducing the extra you really get to nothing....

Shawn_Dark

HappyMJ wrote: »

Much more information needed. How many children? Basically the same answers to the questions on entitledto. You would get £89.18 based on last years income of NIL and £108.29 CTC's assuming 2 kids but....it may not be accurate at all. That's the maximum amount. If you had a consistent income of £13,000 you would get £145.87 per week made up of £37.58 WTC and £108.29 CTC's. Then it all changes when Child 3 comes along.... I'd work with the £145.87 and treat any extra you get as a bonus to save with. Not spending it just in case. Tax credits are confusing.

And remember too that the extra tax credits you get will reduce the Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit you get reducing the extra you really get to nothing....

Sorry, I cant post a direct link to my original thread cos I am still a new member and the site wont let me (to reduce the risk of spamming).

The original thread has all my details:
"Can I claim CTC and WTC whilst working?"
t=3476321