Maternity Leave- CTC/WTC - Another thread!

jon1555

I know it's another maternity thread but need all questions answered in one!

First Baby due end of January - spent the last few months looking at what benefits we'll get, thought I knew then found out my estimations for next years wages were miles off!

Last years income for the both of us was 25K - This Year will be about 30K Ish - Next year (including the £100 disregard of maternity pay a week and some unpaid Maternity leave) will be about 19.5K for the year.

Using various benefit calculators etc it's saying we should be entitled to about £55 a week in tax credits (based on next years income)

Having trouble with wtc and what the bands are on that?

Also when we make the claim will they take into account what our wage will be next year, the majority of the calculators only take in last years wage which is substantially more than next year.

Hoping there's someone on similar incomes who can give us a heads up on what we're likely to receive!

Thank you in advance!


Getting square eyes from this screen!:rotfl:

[Deleted User]

You can ask for your award to be based on current years income but make sure you don't under estimate as you will have to pay back any overpayment.

Horseunderwater

You will not get any working tax credit based on this years income and I think not on next either. The cut off is around the £17.5k mark for WTC. But fill the form out in full anyway.
WTC works - basic element of £1920 - 2nd adult - £1950 and over 24 hours for 2 people qualifies you. If your partner is doing over 30 hours, then there is an extra £790 element that they add on as well. But based on the income level you mention it is unlikely that you would get any.
Child tax credit OTH has a first income threshold of £15,860, so based on one child and £30k income this year = nothing but if based on next years estimated income then you'd get something. Not sure how much, but cut off point is just under £26k income for your circumstances. So if your joint income totalled £20k or so then that leaves you with the basic £545 element + a small amount on top of the £2690 (£2720 next April) - it will be tapered down at 41p/£1 between the first threshold and approx £22,280, which I believe is the cut off point for the extra bit. You can apply for this as soon as baby arrives, regardless of whether they pay you anything. The award will at least be logged and then when your income for next year is further known, you can ring them up at renewal or after even and do a change of circumstances with them.