Zero Hour Contracts & Working Tax Credits.

SkiddyKnave

Hi guys,

Just wondering if someone can help me as my head is completely baffeld and I have no idea what to do!

I have just been offered a job at my local Zoo. However, it is a "Zero hour contract" which means they can never guarantee how many hours a week they will give me.

I am living with my parents and my partner and our 3 month old son.

I would love to take this job but I am so confused on how to declare the amount of hours I work to tax credits, when in actual fact, it could be and very might be different every week?

Does anyone have any information on this please?

pmlindyloo

SkiddyKnave wrote: »

Hi guys,

Just wondering if someone can help me as my head is completely baffeld and I have no idea what to do!

I have just been offered a job at my local Zoo. However, it is a "Zero hour contract" which means they can never guarantee how many hours a week they will give me.

I am living with my parents and my partner and our 3 month old son.

I would love to take this job but I am so confused on how to declare the amount of hours I work to tax credits, when in actual fact, it could be and very might be different every week?

Does anyone have any information on this please?

Zero hours contracts are a pain in the proverbial!

First of all is your partner working? You will need to work at least 24 hours between you (with one working at least 16 hours a week) to claim working tax credits.

Of course with a child you may already be claiming child tax credits.

Usually what happens with zero hours contracts is that your employer will have to tell you what they expect your 'usual hours' to be.

You need to contact the tax credits office and explain the situation. They may expect your employer to complete a form.

See here:

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits/start/claiming/income-hours/work-out-hours.htm

Tax credits are based on the previous tax year so your earnings may not alter your claim.

Wait until one of the tax credit 'experts' see this thread for further information.

SkiddyKnave

pmlindyloo wrote: »

Zero hours contracts are a pain in the proverbial!

First of all is your partner working? You will need to work at least 24 hours between you (with one working at least 16 hours a week) to claim working tax credits.

Of course with a child you may already be claiming child tax credits.

Usually what happens with zero hours contracts is that your employer will have to tell you what they expect your 'usual hours' to be.

You need to contact the tax credits office and explain the situation. They may expect your employer to complete a form.

Tax credits are based on the previous tax year so your earnings may not alter your claim.

Wait until one of the tax credit 'experts' see this thread for further information.

Hi, thanks for your reply.

No, my partner is not currently working, so it would be just me having to do the minimum of 24 hours.

We are currently claiming Child Tax Credit.

I must also point out, that the job offered is also only Seasonal Work, of which I just found this on the website that you posted to me.

"If you do seasonal work, or your hours change over the year, show the hours you're working at the time you make your claim."

pmlindyloo

SkiddyKnave wrote: »

Hi, thanks for your reply.

No, my partner is not currently working, so it would be just me having to do the minimum of 24 hours.

We are currently claiming Child Tax Credit.

I must also point out, that the job offered is also only Seasonal Work, of which I just found this on the website that you posted to me.

"If you do seasonal work, or your hours change over the year, show the hours you're working at the time you make your claim."

Since your partner is not working then you need to have a word with your employer and see if the 24 hours a week is a likely prospect. Otherwise you are not going to be able to claim working tax credits.

pmlindyloo

Of course you can still take the job but if you are on any income based benefits, JSA for example, then you will have to notify them that you have started work.

SkiddyKnave

pmlindyloo wrote: »

Since your partner is not working then you need to have a word with your employer and see if the 24 hours a week is a likely prospect. Otherwise you are not going to be able to claim working tax credits.

If my employer says that 24 hours is likely, but then lets say for a few weeks I actually end up working 35 hours each week, would I have to notify Working Tax Credits of that?

lynski666

Working tax credits is awarded based on two things....eligibility and entitlement. You would satisfy the basic eligibility requirement with the 24 hours. After you satisfy this requirement the entitlement is then based on income. The more income you receive, the less you receive in working tax credits. If you work more hours than the 24 per week, but it is not ongoing, you then need to provide a new estimate of your earnings to prevent incurring an overpayment

SkiddyKnave

lynski666 wrote: »

Working tax credits is awarded based on two things....eligibility and entitlement. You would satisfy the basic eligibility requirement with the 24 hours. After you satisfy this requirement the entitlement is then based on income. The more income you receive, the less you receive in working tax credits. If you work more hours than the 24 per week, but it is not ongoing, you then need to provide a new estimate of your earnings to prevent incurring an overpayment

After providing a new estimate of my earnings, would there be a gap in receiving the next payment of Working Tax Credits?