Working tax credit - age

StuartMacpherson

Hi all

This may be a weird question, but it is one that has befuddled me for a while.

My partner is a self employed and works every hour she can, but unfortunately isn't earning a massive amount at the moment due to it being a newly established company. She is 28 and working over 30 hours a week, but earns less than the threshold. When living with her parents, she was getting working tax credits.

She has now moved in with me, but as I earn over the joint amount she thought it would be best to retract her claim.

My main questions is, as I am under the age of 25, does my wage count towards the claim, as you have to be 25 to receive it.

I just want to make sure she isn't missing out on money just because we have moved in together.

Thanks very much

salfordgirl

As i undertstand it (so there may well be people with more expertise),even though you are under 25, and so cannot make a claim for WTC. Your income will still be taken account, as it is based on household income.

So even though you cannot claim WTC yourself, as your partner can, it would be based on her income as well as yourselves.

StuartMacpherson

salfordgirl wrote: »

As i undertstand it (so there may well be people with more expertise),even though you are under 25, and so cannot make a claim for WTC. Your income will still be taken account, as it is based on household income.

So even though you cannot claim WTC yourself, as your partner can, it would be based on her income as well as yourselves.

That's how I understood it as well, but I was really hoping I was wrong haha.

It's just really annoying that when she lived with her parents who were on a lot more money, she received WTC, but now we have moved in together she has less money because of me...

I just wondered if we could get around it with the age thing, but oh well haha.

salfordgirl

It is more that even though you are under the age for applying for WTC, you are still a couple.

So as a couple you are expected to be able to provide for one another.

How old were her parents when she was living with them and what was their income?

salfordgirl

Also how much do you earn?

StuartMacpherson

her parents are in their 60's, her mum was retired but her dad was still working. I have no idea of his income, but it was more than mine haha.

We are managing well enough, not getting into debt or anything, it just befuddled me.

Time for me to trawl the internet to see if we can claim any other benefits such as council tax etc.

Thanks very much for your help guys.

CIS

Time for me to trawl the internet to see if we can claim any other benefits such as council tax etc.

You will be way over the limit for Council Tax Benefit.

MissMoneypenny

StuartMacpherson wrote: »

My partner is a self employed and works every hour she can, but unfortunately isn't earning a massive amount at the moment due to it being a newly established company. She is 28 and working over 30 hours a week, but earns less than the threshold. When living with her parents, she was getting working tax credits.

It's all going to be changing from 2013 anyway. When Tax Credits go and then becomes part of the new Universal Credit for those in need (one payment for income based welfare claimants) she will be expected to earn the equivilant of at least 35 hours per week at national minimum wage. If she isn't earning that and still wants to claim Universal Credit, then she will be required to regularly show that she is searching for jobs; just as job seekers are required to now.