Working tax credits partner a student

RobbComms

Hello,

We are in a bit of a panic here; as we were told 4 weeks ago that my partner had to increase her hours from 16 to 24 by the tax credit office, as I have gone back into full time education on a PGCE course. We have two kids, one 9, and the other just under 2. Both are in childcare on the days my partner is working.

Called the tax office today to give change of circumstance - like they requested - and to our surprise they say we won't be getting any help with childcare.

Is this true? We find it hard to believe as the PGCE is a full time course training to be a teacher and before baby number 2, she worked 24 hours and we got the working tax/childcare element when I was doing my full time degree.

Please can someone confirm/deny this as we cannot find any recent posts that replicate our current situation.

Thank you, in advance,

All the best,

Rob

Icequeen99

RobbComms wrote: »

Hello,

We are in a bit of a panic here; as we were told 4 weeks ago that my partner had to increase her hours from 16 to 24 by the tax credit office, as I have gone back into full time education on a PGCE course. We have two kids, one 9, and the other just under 2. Both are in childcare on the days my partner is working.

Called the tax office today to give change of circumstance - like they requested - and to our surprise they say we won't be getting any help with childcare.

Is this true? We find it hard to believe as the PGCE is a full time course training to be a teacher and before baby number 2, she worked 24 hours and we got the working tax/childcare element when I was doing my full time degree.

Please can someone confirm/deny this as we cannot find any recent posts that replicate our current situation.

Thank you, in advance,

All the best,

Rob

As BB says, the criteria for WTC has to be met and then if you want the childcare element of WTC you have to meet separate criteria for that.

Unless you were incapacitated, entitled to carer's allowance, in prison or hospital, then your wife shouldn't have been getting the childcare element of WTC whilst she was working 24 hours and you were a student.

You won't qualify for childcare support now unless you also work 16 hours although you will get WTC itself if your wife works at least 24.

IQ

Caz3121

RobbComms wrote: »

before baby number 2, she worked 24 hours and we got the working tax/childcare element when I was doing my full time degree.

you should not have got any childcare help from tax credits unless you were both working 16 hours. You will end up with an overpayment here if/when they realise