tax credits - fluctuating hours

unclebumpkin1

Hi. I applied for working tax credits a few weeks back. I got the text to say they've got the form, but not heard more yet. Anyway my hours have varied from week to week have gone up of late to have been over 30 on average for the past month before I applied a fortnight or so ago, but this week I worked under 30 hours... but worked nearly 40 hours the week before... how does this all work with what you have to inform the tax credit people... I'm probably still at least at the moment basically working over 30 hours on average a week...

unclebumpkin1

I know you're supposed to inform them if you go under 30 hours a week, but what if you're most likely to do over 30 hours the week later and are more or less doing over the 30 hours... how does this all work? i think you're supposed to let them know within 30 days but i haven't yet even had my application fully processed yet.

Icequeen99

It is your normal working hours. As a general rule - if you drop below 30 4 weeks in a row or if you are frequently doing under 30 then you should tell them.

IQ

unclebumpkin1

thanks for that

unclebumpkin1

Is this official policy? I did slightly under 30hrs that week and over 40 the week after? I've started getting payments into my bank account but no paperwork has come at all. Thanks

unclebumpkin1

My job has changed so I'll most likely now be doing about 12hrs a week from now on... any idea what this means, I presume they'll stop giving me credits... not sure how it all works with averages etc... I assume I have to write to them to let them know...

Caz3121

unclebumpkin1 wrote: »

My job has changed so I'll most likely now be doing about 12hrs a week from now on... any idea what this means, I presume they'll stop giving me credits... not sure how it all works with averages etc... I assume I have to write to them to let them know...

Let them know as soon as possible as otherwise you are going to end up with an overpayment to pay back.
Assuming you are single and are now working less than 16 hours you could sign on for JSA, you may not get any payment but it will cover your NI stamp towards your pension

unclebumpkin1

so how does it work exactly? it is not based on averages... is it if you are likely to do (or are doing) under 30 hours a week, you just no longer get credits...

thank you

pmlindyloo

I have found this link which says that there are no regs about how fluctuating hours are worked out in your case and can even be worked out averaged over the year. However, I suspect that this is when work is guaranteed and the fluctuations are minimal.

http://www.bedsadviceforum.org.uk/resources/Zero+Hours+contracts+and+their+implications+for+benefit+claims.pdf

However, there are consequences for this is you cannot guarantee that they will average out to 30 hrs a week. You would have a big overpayment. The link advises you to contact HMRC

Blond bubbles is one of our 'experts' so her advice is always sound.

Are you on a zero hours contract?

Really the best way for you is to ask if you can go on to a 30 hr contract to ensure that you can receive your working tax credit.

Any chance you could find a job with 30 hrs guaranteed?

These zero hour contracts are really a pain as far as claiming tax credits are concerned.

unclebumpkin1

"Are you on a zero hours contract?"

yes

"Really the best way for you is to ask if you can go on to a 30 hr contract to ensure that you can receive your working tax credit."

unlikely to happen

"Any chance you could find a job with 30 hrs guaranteed?"

possibly

"As a general rule - if you drop below 30 4 weeks in a row or if you are frequently doing under 30 then you should tell them."

that has been the case for the last fortnight or so and will very likely be for the next...

thanks

notarobot_3

blondebubbles wrote: »

Call them and update the change.

You'll continue to get WTC for 4 weeks from the date the hours changed. The claim will then end.

What happens then if your hours go up again? Do you have to just do the application forms again- even if you are still at the same job? Thanks