Working tax credit for variable low hours

saddler1962

Sorry if this has been mentioned before, but the whole system seems a minefield and I ain't got a clue what's what when it comes to working tax credit. So here goes hope someone can advise.

A friend ( single parent with one child aged 7) has just found a job contracted hours are 12.5 hrs a week, but in addition she is called upon to do additional hours during the week. This may be 1 hr 4 hrs , 6 hrs , it varies each week ( on min wage)
So the question I'm asking is, is she entitled to working tax credit, if so how best tackle or apply for it.
I know 16 hrs seems be the magical number but when your hrs vary between 12.5 to say 20 weekly where do you stand.
Hoping someone can advise, please
Thanks

HappyMJ

Possibly, if she claims working tax credit she'll lose free school meals and a few other benefits so tell her to take that into account.

She would have to ring every few weeks advising change of circumstances when her average hours drop and then ring again when they increase.

Icequeen99

You can't average hours as a general rule for tax credits.

The hours requirement is that you 'normally' work at least 16 hours (for a single parent). HMRC have interpreted this as meaning your hours are 16 or more most weeks, but they will allow temporary falls of up to 4 weeks providing it goes back up again.

She will need to make sure she is hitting above 16 most of the time though.

IQ