Changes to Tax Credits from April 2012

ditzyat50

soggysox wrote: »

if anyone knows what the deal is (and wants to be genuinely helpful not grumpy) i would really like some help.

I work part time 20 hours, no prospect of more hours due to the business suffering and currently claim tax credits. I am making a joint claim with my hubby who is on incapacity due to health probs. I have 3 kids, one a baby and I am due back from maternity leave in may.

Is there really nothing to replace this help for people like me... it seems wrong that someone who works more than i do and therefore earns more will get more benefits.....i work all the hours i can between school times (we live in a very rural area so getting to work takes a fair time and so i can't work 5 hours per day whilst the kids are at school - i can only work 4) and it feel like i am being punished for trying to support my sick hubby and kids by doing what work i can!

kate

If the government totally take away all of your WTC because of no fault of your own, you can not get those extra hours work to make it to 24, then where is the justice? It could end up being a case that those on JSA are financially better off than those poor devils working part time to try and earn an honest crust. Something wrong somewhere!

kez917

smithyjules wrote: »

Hi all,

I recieved a letter a while back saying that from April 2012 you had to work 24 hours per week now to recieve WTC, I work 22 hours and one 6 hour Saturday per month. I really don't think I will be able to increase my hours as the wage budget is at the max already. However I can't see how we will managed with the WTC being removed. We are not in a position as a family for me to work full-time as my Hubby is at Uni and we have two children under 5, one of which is under 2 and I really don't want hiom in Nursery full-time yet. I'm just not sure where to go from here. Anyone else in a similar situation?

Right, I have not read all of the replies because some go off in a tangent, but I should imagine that whatever hours you are working can be resolved. If I were in your shoes, i would go into work and ask for a paycut. If you increased your hours by 1 per month you would be comfortably over the threshold. If you decrease your hourly rate by around 8pence per hour, based on the 90ish hours you do would give you the same monthly wage. Based on around 6.5 per hour. You would have to work the extra hour each month to remain on the same wage.

The company is happy because effectively they are getting you for an extra hour. You may be 1 hour out of pocket but you don't need to look elswhere, change the system at home or anything like that.

You then qualify, you are not cheating the system as they changed the goal posts and you are in one of those awkward ppositions of being sat on the thresehold.

Hope that helps and whatever you do, god luck

soggysox

I agrre it does seem a bit !!! about face doesn't it...just when people are struggling to find jobs I seem to be being punished for not finding a job with more hours. You'd think the government would be happy that I am trying as hard as I can not to cost the system even more in income support etc etc.

its not a great time for us as hubby is now being reviewed for the change from Incapacity benefit as well - you can bet they try their best to stop his money too - so what with that and these tax credit changes our future is very uncertain.

I guess i will have to try and find a second job but it signals the end of being able to breastfeed my daughter :-(

joanne79

Hi all
I also received the letter saying about the increase in hours to 24 as a couple,since I have been worrying like hell trying to sort them,with interviews and nagging at work. Anyway decided to call and see if its possible to make the hours up with overtime. While on the phone the lady said I've just looked and your ok to stay doing your 16 hours as your partner is down as having a disability, even though he claims no benefits for this. When we moved in together my partner was on incapacity after an operation on his back, the incapacity was instantly taken away as I earn £400 pm :-/, was told he can claim nothing as I earn, and was refused dla. So after months of trying to increase hours I was surprised to be told this, so much so that I called back and got someone different, and was told the same. I'm just so worried that come April they are going to say sorry you was miss informed, and bye bye working tax, so any thoughts would be greatly appreciated....I also have 2 children of 2 and 4 if this makes any difference....sorry post is so long lol and if you have got this far an replied thank you :-) jo

joanne79

soggysox wrote: »

if anyone knows what the deal is (and wants to be genuinely helpful not grumpy) i would really like some help.

I work part time 20 hours, no prospect of more hours due to the business suffering and currently claim tax credits. I am making a joint claim with my hubby who is on incapacity due to health probs. I have 3 kids, one a baby and I am due back from maternity leave in may.

Is there really nothing to replace this help for people like me... it seems wrong that someone who works more than i do and therefore earns more will get more benefits.....i work all the hours i can between school times (we live in a very rural area so getting to work takes a fair time and so i can't work 5 hours per day whilst the kids are at school - i can only work 4) and it feel like i am being punished for trying to support my sick hubby and kids by doing what work i can!

kate

Hi Kate
I would certainly call them and double check this, as I'm in a similar situation, and have been told twice now that I'm ok doing 16 hours as OH can't work....? They where certain that things wouldn't change. Interesting to see your OH can still claim incapacity, as soon as we got together hi was stopped, as I earn to much ??? £400pm so he actually claims nothing, anyway let me know how you get on jo x

Glitterpix

We're not in this situation so I can't really help that much...
However, we are low earners with a 4yr old and a 2yr old.
My OH works 40hrs a week, but only manages to bring home just over £1000 a month after tax. For the last 3 years I've been a stay at home mum as he was earning more so we could manage on just his income and tax credits. However, he was made redundant, and had to take a slightly lesser paid job.

Since the government changed to the Tories I knew I'd have to help financially but couldnt afford childcare (in my area its about £40 a day, per child) and I have no family that can help, certainly not regularly...

So I decided to go self employed. I now own my own online shop, making and selling accessories, modifying clothing, making jewellery. I make sure I work the evenings and days when OH is at home, and any ties when the kids are napping/visiting family or friends.

This has really helped us, and although I'm not a big earner, it means I'm managing to bring in enough money without paying out childcare.
Maybe this could be an option? Or something similar?

Also, remember children from age 3 get 15 hours FREE at preschool, so maybe if not already doing so, make that as working time?

Sorry if this isnt any help, just some ideas