where do i get the forms and can i get help

the3musketeers

Hi
This may seem a really stupid question but as i've never had to claim benifits before i am very unsure of the process. Can someone please tell me where i get the forms to apply for working tax credits, child tax benifits and child benifit from, i am expecting our first baby in July and want to get prepared.
Also is there somewhere i can go to get help fillling in the forms as i do not want to got through sending them off for them to be returned as i have missed something out.
Thanks in advance x

sleepless_saver

Link here for how to claim child benefit.

And phone the Tax Credits Helpline 0345 300 3900 for a tax credits form.

Wait till the baby is born before applying and do the child benefit form first.

CAB can help you fill the forms in but when you see them you may decide they are not that hard (especially the child benefit form).

pmlindyloo

You can do both online:

Tax Credits - http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/individuals/tmatax-credits.shtml

You may need to telephone Tax Credits about estimating your income for this year.

I beleive there is a section on the form that says something like -''will your income be substantially different this year?'' and you need to fill this in saying about the birth of baby and going onto JSA. (or whatever)

As sleepless saver says CAB will help you but the froms are reasonably straightforward.

pmlindyloo

You can do both on line:

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/childbenefit/online.htm

sleepless_saver

pmlindyloo wrote: »

You can do both online:

Tax Credits - http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/individuals/tmatax-credits.shtml

Child Benefit -

You can't claim tax credits online any longer pmlindyloo, they stopped it because of fraud - see directgov link.

taxi36

Hi. I'm using my Dad's account to reply. Hope thats ok?

When you are leaving hospital after having your Baby you will be given a bounty pack . You get all the forms inside this bounty pack to claim your tax credits + child benefit. Theres no need to ring the helpline now to ask for them to be sent out.
My child benefit + tax credits were really quick coming through. I had my payments within two weeks.
Toni

the3musketeers

thanks all, great info hopefully can get a bit more prepared now x

pmlindyloo

sleepless_saver wrote: »

You can't claim tax credits online any longer pmlindyloo, they stopped it because of fraud - see directgov link.

Sorry, I didn't know this

Why do they leave the wrong information on the websites?:D

Good point about the bounty pack - didn't know that either!

the3musketeers

Hi sorry for all the questions but i was wondering if someone could tell me this, i keep reading that you don't count the first £100 of maternity pay when claiming benifits, is this true? is it the first £100 a week or the first £100 of total maternity pay, for example i will be getting basic maternity of £135 a week for 39 weeks so do i count just £35 a week?? Sorry for the waffling hope you understand x

pmlindyloo

To help you take time off work when you have a baby, you may be able to get Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP), a weekly payment from your employer.

If you had a child (or adopted a child) in the last tax year you may have taken statutory maternity, adoption or paternity leave during the year and your employer may have paid you statutory maternity, adoption or paternity pay.


SMP is a taxable income, but for tax credits purposes £100 a week is ignored. You need to deduct £100 from your income for each week you received SMP.

If you were on maternity leave but your employer did not pay you SMP, you may have claimed Maternity Allowance instead. Do not include Maternity Allowance received as this is not counted as income for tax credits purposes.

Please try to stop worrying - all this is explained in the notes when you get your tax credit forms.

sleepless_saver

pmlindyloo wrote: »

Why do they leave the wrong information on the websites?:D

I've noticed this before with HMRC - I put it down to them not being customer oriented.