Working tax credit with disabled element advice

meoww999

Hi
I qualify for WTC with disabled element and have been getting it for the past 7 years as I can only work part time due to a permanent heart condition. However, I have recently been made redundant and am confused by what I've read on some sites. Firstly, if I can't get a job in the next couple of weeks, I am going to have to claim JSA but will my WTC stop? I am married with 2 children under 16 and my wife works self employed for around 18 hours a week. I read somewhere that the WTC with disabled element may pass to my wife until I manage to get a job but not sure if this is correct?

I also think I have 4 weeks from redundancy to tell HMRC that I have been made redundant according to what I have read? Just checking this is correct also as I don't want any overpayments etc.

Any feedback would be gratefully received as I'm stressed enough about being jobless and haven't been out of work before, apart from when I was first taken ill, so am unsure about benefits etc.
Thanks

pmlindyloo

blondebubbles wrote: »

Which disability benefit do you receive on order to qualify for the disability element of WTC?

Could the question also be 'which benefit did he receive during the time before he started working'?

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/leaflets/wtc2.pdf

Am I reading it incorrectly? Thought you could be eligible if you were receiving certain benefits (including JSA with the disability premium) and if you met the time periods specified before starting work.

meoww999

Hi
I received long term IB for 18 months prior to getting the job I was in for the past 7 years up until last week. The only benefit I have had that relates to my disability since then has been the disabled element of WTC as that would be all I was entitled to as far as I was aware.

Thanks for the reply re the WTC stopping and thought this may be the case. Could you also tell me who the best people to speak to directly regarding benefits? We are going to lose quite a chunk of our income when the WTC stops and have no idea what we may be entitled to as the whole system seems so complicated.

meoww999

Sorry I meant to ask about the JSA with disability premium also. On reading the information on the website, I think I may be entitled to this as I have been getting the WTC disabled element. Do you think that's the case given my circumstances?

pmlindyloo

Do you receive DLA or PIP?

meoww999

No I've never claimed for DLA as I used to get IB instead and then started working for 24 hours a week so don't think I was entitled? I'm not sure what PIP is but will look in a minute just in case I qualify!! It's an absolute minefield of information with all the different possible benefits etc!

pmlindyloo

Personal Independence Payment is a non means tested benefit which replaced Disability Living Allowance for new claimants.

It is a non means tested benefit for people with care and/or mobility needs.

Have a goggle to see if you think you are eligible.

However, that is not going to help you now.

It is very difficult to give you information about your entitlement to benefits without details of your wife's income.

If you have enough NI contributions then you can apply for contribution based JSA which is not means tested and will be paid for approx 6 months.

Your wife can be added to your claim and you will get an income based 'top up'. However, most of her income will be taken into account and deducted from the JSA.

BUT you would still be entitled to the contribution based part (sorry it is complicated)

My advice is to apply for JSA (you can do it online) and let them work out what you are entitled to.

Also apply for housing benefit and council tax reduction.

Telephone tax credits and tell them of the change of circumstances. Ask them if your wife would still be entitled to working tax credits working 18 hrs a week and whether they would treat you as 'incapacitated' to allow this (reading the 'rules' I don't think so but it is complicated so worth asking)

Sorry not to be more helpful but it is complicated.

Just apply for JSA, HB and CT reduction and inform tax credits. That's all you can do at the moment. Good luck and hope you find a job soon.