Confused about working tax credit, with carer's allowance

worriedmummy123456

Hi, I'm new here, so hope I've posted in the correct place.
Just wondered if anyone else had come upon same situation as me.....
I claim Carer's Allowance, for caring for my disabled son. I have been claiming income support and my rent and council tax were paid,in full via housing and council tax benefit. I have a partner (who is not entitled to any public funding, although I don't think that affects my question but I have only claimed for myself, he s on the claim but we don't receive any payment for him). My partner has just finally, this week, found employment for 16 hours a week, which is taken into account. Apparently the tax credits system has changed and couples must now work 24 hours a week to claim working tax credit (unless the other partner claims Carer's allowance).
I have notified all the relevant benefit agencies, all of whom seem confused if I will transfer to working tax credit or not.....
My main question is as to whether I will now lose my children's entitlement to free school meals, if I can get working tax credit at 16 hours, when it would seem other couples could continue to claim it if working up to 24 hours ??? I have 3 children and if I lose free school meals I will lose £30 in meals funding a week before I even calculate any other loss in benefits.
I really confused a to whether I'm going to be worse off by being allowed to claim working tax credit at 16 hours a week rather than 24?
Anyone else recently gone back to work, with any answers?
Thank you.

Anubis_2

You need to look at the stipulations for free school meals and WTC with your local council. I don't believe the 16 hr or 24 hr makes any difference, I thought tht WTC excluded free school meals in most circumstances.

Scroll down to help with cost of your children's schooling http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits/payments-entitlement/other-benefits/other-help.htm

It has links to the rules and your local council. You may loose school meals but you will be worse off not claiming WTC at all, so I am unsure what you are wanting.