How to work out benefits when I change my working hours

Missy241

Hi

I have 2 four year old children and currently work 37.5 hrs per week, I recieve some housing benefit and tax credits but my children are starting school in September so will need to reduce my working hours to 25-30 hrs per week. I'm really struggling to find out what benefits I will recieve and how many hours would be best for me to do to not impact my income, I've tried the benefit calculator. Also if I change my hours in September does my benefits change there and then or do I have to wat until the new financial year as it's calulated on the pevious year?

Thanks

Caz3121

For tax credits, when you get your award notice you can advise them of the new estimated income for this tax year. Due to the disregard they ignore the first £2.5k of decrease.
Estimate for this year will 6 months of old salary and 6 months of new salary. (plus any bonus etc) If this is less than £2.5k lower than your last years income then there will be no change to tax credits (assuming no childcare costs)
If this years income will be more than £2.5k lower they will use the estimate+£2.5k and reassess the award on this new figure

[Deleted User]

Why would you need to reduce your hours as they start school? Surely it means you can work more or at least pay less childcare!