Working 21h or 24h?

Mumlondon

Hi

My husband has been out of work for a month.

He found a part-time job and has to accept it, that's fine with us and a great relief. :cool:
Apparently, there are some advantages to work 24h instead of the 21h offered to him in terms of tax credits, housing benefits...

Could you please confirm what would be best ?

Thanks

HappyMJ

Why does he have to accept it? If it leaves him worse off he can refuse to take the job....

Anyway one member of a couple must do at least 24 hours. 30 hours is slightly better as it gives you a 30 hour element worth an extra £790 a year...

However, you mentioned housing benefit. Whatever you do get in working tax credits will be taken from your housing and council tax benefit so you won't be any better off. So any number of hours is fine.

pmlindyloo

HappyMJ wrote: »

Why does he have to accept it? If it leaves him worse off he can refuse to take the job....

Anyway one member of a couple must do at least 24 hours. 30 hours is slightly better as it gives you a 30 hour element worth an extra £790 a year...

However, you mentioned housing benefit. Whatever you do get in working tax credits will be taken from your housing and council tax benefit so you won't be any better off. So any number of hours is fine.

Just to clarify

To be eligible for working tax credits you need to do 24 hrs between you, with one doing at least 16 hours if you have children.

From your posting name I presume you have.

Full list of the hours here:

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits/keep-up-to-date/changes-affect/work-changes/changes-to-hours.htm

pmlindyloo

You can input various scenarios to the benefit calculator here:

http://www.turn2us.org.uk/benefits_search.aspx

This will be helpful as regards 'are we better off if.....'

Mumlondon

Thank you so much for such brilliant and quick responses.

The person who told us about the 24h line didn't think I was on maternity leave so considered as being working, so it doesn't apply to us.

Thank you again.