WTC for working under 16 hrs?

Gavin234

I'm on JSA, if I work under 16 hours can I sign off and claim WTC?

I thought you have to work over 16 hrs to claim WTC?

So my question is, if someone is working say 14 hrs on nmw would they not get any WTC? But if they were not getting JSA, would they still be under the Ben cap restrictions?

Indie_Kid

You have to work at least 16 hours for WTC. But it does depend on your individual circumstances. Some people have to work more hours (24 or 30) to claim WTC.

pmlindyloo

The benefit cap only applies to people receiving housing benefit or universal credit.

If you were not eligible for JSA because you were earning too much you would then be assessed for housing benefit based on your 'low income'.

This assessment would then take into account any other relevant benefits that you were receiving (see link) and the benefit cap would still apply.

So if you were receiving more in benefits than your 'benefit cap' then your HB would be reduced.

If you were eligible for working tax credits then the benefit cap would not apply.

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/housing_benefit_and_local_housing_allowance/changes_to_housing_benefit/benefit_cap

tomtontom

Lots of good advice on the thread you started yesterday ...

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5318760

Gavin234

Indie_Kid wrote: »

You have to work at least 16 hours for WTC. But it does depend on your individual circumstances. Some people have to work more hours (24 or 30) to claim WTC.

So what happens if you work less than that? You don't get any WTC, but you don't need to sign on either?

pmlindyloo

You cannot claim JSA if you work more than 16 hrs. In your case, as a couple you would need to work 24 hrs a week to claim working tax credits.

So if you worked 20 hrs a week then you could not claim JSA or working tax credits.

You could still claim HB and CT reduction based on a low income.

I do not know what you are trying to achieve but why not put different scenarios into the calculator on https://www.entitledto.co.uk to see what benefits you would be entitled to.

Just out of interest, what are you trying to achieve? Have you been offered a job with a certain number of hours?

10pence

Gavin234 wrote: »

I'm on JSA, if I work under 16 hours can I sign off and claim WTC?

I thought you have to work over 16 hrs to claim WTC?

So my question is, if someone is working say 14 hrs on nmw would they not get any WTC? But if they were not getting JSA, would they still be under the Ben cap restrictions?

Benefit cap is reducing from April 2016, have you considered the ramifications of that?

The total amount you can currently claim in benefits is:

• £500 per week for single parents and couples with children
• £350 per week for single people.

Changes to the benefit cap

On July 8 2015 the government announced further reductions to the benefit cap. The total amount a household will be able to claim in benefits is:

• £442 a week in London
• £385 a week outside London

These changes will take effect from April 2016.

SOURCE