Working Tax Credit

Healy1975

Hello, Just wondering peoples thoughts. Is it me or does the fact you receive the working tax credit element mean you miss out on lots of other entitlements?


Sorry but I am very new to this, I am on my own with two primary age children. I was earning an ok wage and claimed tax credits for a while but in May my hours were reduced to three days per week and my tax credits changed. I received a NHS exemption certificate and when I looked into it I realised that I may have been entitled to free school meals and help with school uniforms. Anyway I did apply but because I get the working element I am not entitled. My annual wage is about £10500 and its a real struggle some times and I would've thought on such a low wage I would've been able to get financial help. Ive been looking for another job since May but not been successful yet as Im sure I was better off financially when I worked full time, although on paper when you look at it it doesn't look too bad! Im probably just thinking out loud and wondered what peoples thoughts on this were. Plus its the time of year when money is tight for everyone

Darksparkle

Depends on the circumstances and the income really.

If you worked less you'd then earn less and not get WTC but then might get free school meals etc. Depends how it balances out.

Healy1975

I guess I just thought if you earned such a low wage you would get support for things like that. The school let me know I wasn't entitled and I mustve looked surprised because they said do you get the working element and I said yes and they said oh well no youre not entitled. I don't really get the different between working and child if Im honest


Thanks for your reply though

Darksparkle

Healy1975 wrote: »

I guess I just thought if you earned such a low wage you would get support for things like that. The school let me know I wasn't entitled and I mustve looked surprised because they said do you get the working element and I said yes and they said oh well no youre not entitled. I don't really get the different between working and child if Im honest


Thanks for your reply though

You'll be getting both.

CTC can be claimed whether you work or not. It's just based on income. For WTC you need to work a fever s in number of hours depending on your circumstances. How much you then get also depends on income.