Free School Meals + WTC + Free Prescriptions

atlantis187

I was wondering if some of u clever folk could work this out for me please.
My hours are being reduced at work and I'm trying to work out what is the best situation for us in regards to claiming the following:

* working tax credit
* free prescription through tax credits
* free school meals

We have 4 kids under 16. I can't work out weather it will be best for me to do
23 hrs a week = gross pay £12850 (forgoe WTC) for free school meals or do
25 hrs a week = gross pay £13960 (claim WTC) and not the free school meals
Also how does the free prescriptions factor into the above 2 scenarios?

Thanks

Londonsu

Bit confused as you are saying we and us but only show one salary do you have a partner?


Cant help about the meals but for free prescriptions see link
http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/Documents/HealthCosts/HWHC_Tax_Credit_flowchart_12.2015.pdf


Note the £15,276 is household income so will include partners income


You will get free prescriptions for the children anyway until they stop being age exempt

Darksparkle

As Londonsu says, we'll need to know more about your household circumstances.

Plus tax credits are calculated using last year's and this year's income so both will be needed.

Valli

Are any of the children in KS1? If so they would be entitled to free school meals - and school milk.

ohreally

Londonsu wrote: »

do you have a partner?

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=64389457&postcount=3

pmlindyloo

A third option would be to take a second job, even if at minimum wage and take your hours up to 30 hrs and still be eligible for WTC.


Would you current hours of work allow you to do this - i.e are you on a regular pattern of work?

Or look for a full time job.

if you visited CAB they could do a quick benefit check for you and give you figures for the different scenarios.

Is there any reason the children need to have school dinners? Could the older ones make their own packed lunches?

atlantis187

My wife doesn't work so the only income into the household will be mine which I have stated above.

atlantis187

What I'm trying to ask is is it more beneficial to claim WTC or or leave my hours to 23 a week and go for the free school meals?

Bogalot

atlantis187 wrote: »

What I'm trying to ask is is it more beneficial to claim WTC or or leave my hours to 23 a week and go for the free school meals?

People have offered other options to help you do the best for your family. Is working additional hours not an option for you or your wife? If she still has back problems would a sedentary job be an option for her, even for a few hours?

Sambella

WTC is worth more than free school meals check the calculator below.

https://www.gov.uk/tax-credits-calculator

Aside from school meals it will help with bills and other things.

Bear in mind with WTC switches to tax Universal Credit you will most likely be forced to find full time work or take on another job. The wife may be forced into work too depending on the ages of the children.

Darksparkle

atlantis187 wrote: »

What I'm trying to ask is is it more beneficial to claim WTC or or leave my hours to 23 a week and go for the free school meals?

Would need to know last year's income as well as this year's income as I posted previously.

Or use a benefit calculator to work out how much WTC you'd get and how much school meals would cost you. Or your wife could make pack lunches?