Think I have messed up on tax credits

MLPforyou

Currently receiving WTC.

I was contracted to work for 24 hours then I went onto bank work and told WTC that I would be working between 16-20 hours a week. I only need to work 16 hours a week to get WTC as my husband is disabled.

There has been a few weeks where I haven't quite hit 16 hours. Some due to illness, other times due to unpaid breaks and not working enough shifts meant I went just under 16 hours. Some weeks I have done over 16.

I didn't think much of it because it was just a bad period with sickness etc but I just now had an awful thought that I should have contacted them every time my hours didn't hit 16. From now on I will be working 16 hours at least due to an improvement in my health but I'm really worried now.

I have been doing bank work since the end of Jan. When it comes to renewing my tax credits they are going to ask for proof of hours worked aren't they? I plan to call them first thing on Monday to inform them of the situation but I'm really worried right now.

Can anyone offer any advice please?

Darksparkle

They might ask, they might not. Best to just be honest now rather than waiting.

Without knowing more of the specifics it's hard to comment further.

MLPforyou

I worked out my average hours since I started bank work and I've been hitting 15.5 hours

If I worked more hours until the end of April my average would then be over 16 hours.

I am going to call them and talk it through but I'm hoping if I work more hours I can make it average out and I won't get into trouble.

Darksparkle

They don't generally let you average it out. Not unless it's a recognisable pattern eg you always do 20 hrs one week, 30 the next would average to 25.

Best to look at each 4 week period and see how that works out.

MLPforyou

Ok, thank you.

I guess I will see what trouble I'm in on Monday.

Caz3121

MLPforyou wrote: »

There has been a few weeks where I haven't quite hit 16 hours. Some due to illness, other times due to unpaid breaks and not working enough shifts meant I went just under 16 hours. Some weeks I have done over 16.

If you look at your worked pattern, how many consecutive weeks did you drop under 16. WTC would no longer be payable if you dropped under 16 for 4 weeks in a row

MLPforyou

It was never 4 weeks in a row.

The longest was 3 weeks in a row when I first switched over to bank work.

From now on I will be working more than 16 hours a week but I think I read that they now check working hours automatically? So I will call them so it doesn't look like I'm trying to hide anything but I am panicking about what might happen.

Darksparkle

MLPforyou wrote: »

It was never 4 weeks in a row.

The longest was 3 weeks in a row when I first switched over to bank work.

From now on I will be working more than 16 hours a week but I think I read that they now check working hours automatically? So I will call them so it doesn't look like I'm trying to hide anything but I am panicking about what might happen.

The worst that will happen is your overpaid for the weeks you didn't qualify.

MLPforyou

That's good to know.

I was having visions of me going to prison or something

It was a genuine stupid oversight.

I am currently being underpaid if anything because I'm earning less than I originally said I would be earning. I did call them about this when I first moved onto bank and they said it was fine as they will just ask for my earnings at the end of the year.

Darksparkle

MLPforyou wrote: »

That's good to know.

I was having visions of me going to prison or something

It was a genuine stupid oversight.

I am currently being underpaid if anything because I'm earning less than I originally said I would be earning. I did call them about this when I first moved onto bank and they said it was fine as they will just ask for my earnings at the end of the year.

Maybe but you might not be. Would depend on last year's income and the estimate you've given for this year.

merlin68

Are you claiming carers allowance?
As otherwise its the disabled person who needs to do the 16 hrs.