WTC and link to Housing Benefit

AngelPie78

Hi guys and gals,

Am awake with very little sleep last night so have done a bit of ineffective searching online and on the forum this morning and can't find the answer to my question. I assume it's because it's case specific and there might not be an exact answer, but I thought it was worth checking...

I wondered if anyone could tell me if and by how much (ish) my housing benefit will drop if I start claiming WTC?

I don't earn anything from my business as yet [new business working from home] but someone mentioned that I would probably be better off.

I've done a tax calculator and would be £80ish up per
week if I apply for WTC [on top of my CTC], but I don't wanna bother doing that if I just lose £80 per week in housing benefit.

I am a student with 3 kids so it's all quite confusing.

TIA x

DomRavioli

Put your details into a benefits calculator such as turn2us or entitledto - you can then put circumstances into the calculator to see what you would get from different benefits.

AngelPie78

Hey guys, well I don't earn anything from my work at the moment as I'm just working on my portfolio so it doesn't effect anything anyway. I've tried both of those sites, but as I'm also a student, they can't help me.

AngelPie78

I am a student, so I get student loans, housing benefit and tax credits. x

Caz3121

some info here from NUS
http://www.nus.org.uk/en/advice/money-and-funding/what-tax-credits-can-i-get-as-a-student/

an increase in tax credits together with your income will likely reduce your housing benefit (a figure of 61p in the £ rings a bell but I may be wrong)

CKhalvashi

AngelPie78 wrote: »

I am a student, so I get student loans, housing benefit and tax credits. x

Unless you are a single parent, you shouldn't be getting housing benefit or tax credits if you're a full time student.

Additional WTC will reduce HB, and 61% is the correct figure.

If part time, then it's a different case.

CK

Indie_Kid

CKhalvashi wrote: »

Unless you are a single parent, you shouldn't be getting housing benefit or tax credits if you're a full time student.

Additional WTC will reduce HB, and 61% is the correct figure.

If part time, then it's a different case.

CK

Student finance doesn't affect tax credits. You can claim tax credits as a student as long as you meet the criteria for income and hours worked. Student finance is ignored for child tax credits.

CKhalvashi

Indie_Kid wrote: »

Student finance doesn't affect tax credits. You can claim tax credits as a student as long as you meet the criteria for income and hours worked. Student finance is ignored for child tax credits.

I knew about the CTC, didn't on the WTC, have checked and the above is correct.

I don't often deal with students, and was going from what I thought I remember.

CK

AngelPie78

OK well yes I have children, otherwise I would the getting or need CTC and HB.

I know that student finance loans don't effect tax credits and working tax credits and that housing benefit does take student loans into account.

So back to the original question... Are we going along the lines of 61p drop in HB per £1 WTC?

Or do we not know because I'm a student?

X

CKhalvashi

AngelPie78 wrote: »

OK well yes I have children, otherwise I would the getting or need CTC and HB.

I know that student finance loans don't effect tax credits and working tax credits and that housing benefit does take student loans into account.

So back to the original question... Are we going along the lines of 61p drop in HB per £1 WTC?

Or do we not know because I'm a student?

X

The rulebook states that additional income (which will be dependent on circumstances) will result in a decrease of HB.

This is usually JSA rate, but children/student loans could increase/decrease this, as it will count towards income.

CK

AngelPie78

CKhalvashi wrote: »

The rulebook states that additional income (which will be dependent on circumstances) will result in a decrease of HB.

This is usually JSA rate, but children/student loans could increase/decrease this, as it will count towards income.

CK

Ok, like I said, I know that HB is dependent on my student loans, child benefit and CTC. That's all of my income. I already get HB and have been for almost two years - whilst I have been a student.

I just simply wanted to know if anyone knew what the effect would be on HB if I claimed for WTC whilst setting up my company. I won't be earning any money for two years , I expect, as I am building up a portfolio. I can get an extra £80 per week in WTC, but will my HB drop by this amount.

No-one seems to be able to answer my question. HB office say they can't tell me as it "depends" on my circumstances, ditto for the Tax Credit office.

I just don't want to be worse off.

Thanks x