30 Hour Rule on Tax Credits

banner188

Charityworker wrote: »

Are you sure a couple without children would have to work 30 hours each to qualify for WTC? My sister works 30 hours but her husband only works 10 at the moment and they get it.

At the moment yes, under the new rules your sister and husband may be ok because the conditionality is actually based on earnings, definately some of the more dodgier ground seen as two abled bodied individuals under the current system are expected to do 30 hours work each, but not so under UC they will not if they earn the right amount.

banner188

princessdon wrote: »

They are asking them to do 35 once their children are teenagers, not 70 hours for a baby.

I thought after 5 there is some conditionality, and if not there should be?

princessdon

banner188 wrote: »

I thought after 5 there is some conditionality, and if not there should be?

There is conditionality - to Seek work within school hours only, so in reality as those are like gold dust it's over 13 only.

banner188

princessdon wrote: »

There is conditionality - to Seek work within school hours only, so in reality as those are like gold dust it's over 13 only.

That surprises me. 35 hours is perfectly reasonable for over 13, I would have thought there would be a part time condition for 5-13

princessdon

banner188 wrote: »

That surprises me. 35 hours is perfectly reasonable for over 13, I would have thought there would be a part time condition for 5-13

There is still part time conditionality for lone parents etc. But they don't expect 35 hours each until a child is 13 (bar school hour working if available). The nominated carer can still seek school hours) as long as the other is in 35 hours a week work. Once children are older both are expected to seek work if not earning the limits.

I could be wrong as due to the huge thread in DT I think I have seen so many "rumours" posted I am wondering what is true anymore.

Charityworker

banner188 wrote: »

At the moment yes, under the new rules your sister and husband may be ok because the conditionality is actually based on earnings, definately some of the more dodgier ground seen as two abled bodied individuals under the current system are expected to do 30 hours work each, but not so under UC they will not if they earn the right amount.

Something different to what it says here, it's says only 1 needs to be working 30 hours:

http://www.litrg.org.uk/low-income-workers/tax-credits/tax-credits-claimants/wtc-elements#thirty

princessdon

Currently it's only 30 hours you are correct.

Under UC it will be dependant on your level of conditionality.

You can see why it's been introduced when someone has a lifestyle choice to be a homemaker and get's TC as a "wage" with older or none dependant children.

zagfles

BigAunty wrote: »

Those without dependents and disabilities are expected to work 30 hours each to receive WTC - perish the thought that healthy adults with dependents receive WTC for a 15 hour (2 day per week) job.

Only one has to work 30 hours. If they both had to work 30 hours they'd earn too much for WTC even at NMW!

Charityworker

princessdon wrote: »

Currently it's only 30 hours you are correct.

Under UC it will be dependant on your level of conditionality.

You can see why it's been introduced when someone has a lifestyle choice to be a homemaker and get's TC as a "wage" with older or none dependant children.

Its hardly a choice, there are thousands of people being made redundant each week and only 20 job vacancies.

princessdon

Charityworker wrote: »

Its hardly a choice, there are thousands of people being made redundant each week and only 20 job vacancies.

For many with 1worker in a couple it is indeed a lifestyle choice as the stay at home parent does not wish to work even when children are older or flew the nest. This will now make them look for work instead of being paid tax credits to stay home.