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Working tax credit eligibility for a couple

I was wondering if anyone could shed some light on the eligibility rules for working tax credits - I seem to be getting contradictory information from two government sources, so am rather confused!

We are a couple who have been claiming child tax credits, but currently not working tax credits. I am about to start working a 35 hour per week job, but with an income that should qualify me for working tax credits. My partner does not work and looks after our children, so we have no childcare costs. I am trying to work out if we are eligible as a couple for working tax credits. As a new user I cannot provide links to the sites I have been reading unfortunately.

The guidance at one government source (a set of tables to determine eligibility) seems to suggest that both of us need to be working to be eligible - "a couple, one of you works at least 16 hours a week and the other works at least 8 hours a week" .

The guidance at another other government source only says that for a "Couple with 1 or more children usually, at least 24 hours between you (with 1 of you working at least 16 hours)"

So do we qualify with me working 35 hours a week and my partner none? The government calculator suggests to me we do, but the guidance tables I looked at above does not include an option for a couple where one person does not work. Many thanks in advance for any assistance in this.

Comments

  • Jack'sMum
    Jack'sMum Posts: 32 Forumite
    Hi there,

    The official guide:

    https://www.gov.uk/working-tax-credit/overview

    Hope that helps,
    Jack'sMum
  • Jack'sMum
    Jack'sMum Posts: 32 Forumite
    There are calculators on there as well so you can find out if your circumstances fit and if so another calculator which estimates (any) payments you would be entitled to.
  • Darksparkle
    Darksparkle Posts: 5,465 Forumite
    The criteria for couples is 24hrs with one working at least 16hrs per week. There are some exceptions e.g. If one partner is disabled.

    This can be made up in various ways e.g.
    1. 1 working 24hrs, 1 not working
    2. 1 working 16hrs, 1 working 8hrs

    However if say you both worked 12hrs you wouldn't be entitled as although the combined hours are 24, one person isn't working 16hrs.

    So if you work 35hrs per week you meet the eligibility for WTC. How much you then get depends on the household income for last year and this year.
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