WTC & CTC all new to me and need advice

undlou

Hi everyone,

I have a 20-month-old child and I work 24 hours a week. Currently, I have my mum and my partners mum looking after my son while I am working. They both agreed to this as a temporary thing and I will soon need to put him in nursery full time so I can go back to doing 40 hours a week. They offered their help while I am paying back my debt (which will clear this summer/autumn from a payout).

I don't live with my partner, but I do live with my parents and my son.

The position I am in, will I be entitled to any support for childcare costs? I really am banging my head against the wall, I would like to live in my own home with my family but unable to do that with the horrendous childcare costs.

I earn £14,700 pa doing 24 hours per week (£254 take home each week). My partner is about to start a new job and will be earning roughly £25-28k pa.

I don't know where to start! is there anything out there to support working parents? I was told to look at WTC and CTC but I am confused whether I will be entitled to support. For one I live with parents and 2. I have a partner but he doesn't live with me.

I would really appreciate some advice.

Thank you

Darksparkle

Your parents wouldn't be a factor.

Nor would your partner if you are not living together. I assume he's paying you child maintenance?

If working over 16hrs as a single parent you can claim WTC, CTC and childcare help. How much you'd get would depend on your childcare costs.

Ames

Darksparkle wrote: »

Your parents wouldn't be a factor.

Nor would your partner if you are not living together. I assume he's paying you child maintenance?

If working over 16hrs as a single parent you can claim WTC, CTC and childcare help. How much you'd get would depend on your childcare costs.

Is that still true for everyone or does it depend on the UC status?

Darksparkle

I'm assuming the OP has already checked the UC status for her area. If not then yes she'll need to check that first.

undlou

With the risk of sounding stupid, what is UC?

pmlindyloo

I am not sure whether you are talking about the situation where you are living with your partner or not.

Has he moved out recently?

Your previous posts says he was living with you a week ago.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5809869

Is this your post?

Why don't you put your current circumstances into a benefits calculator to see what you are entitled to.

https://www.turn2us.org.uk

What are you claiming now? Tax credits - single or joint claim?

You can play around with the calculator and put in different scenarios if you wish.

undlou

Hi pmlindyloo,

Thanks for your reply!

Yes, that is my post. My partner and I have never lived together. We both live with our own parents (he lives with his mum, and I live my parents and our son).

That post was based on my debt being paid off (this summer/autumn) and he having a job paying more than what his new job has offered. This is now (hopefully temporarily) out the window as his new job has offered him a whole lot less than we had hoped for.

I will try the calculator you have linked, thanks a bunch!

I do get child benefit every 4 weeks, but that is all.

pmlindyloo

undlou wrote: »

Hi pmlindyloo,

Thanks for your reply!

Yes, that is my post. My partner and I have never lived together. We both live with our own parents (he lives with his mum, and I live my parents and our son).

That post was based on my debt being paid off (this summer/autumn) and he having a job paying more than what his new job has offered. This is now (hopefully temporarily) out the window as his new job has offered him a whole lot less than we had hoped for.

I will try the calculator you have linked, thanks a bunch!

I do get child benefit every 4 weeks, but that is all.

Sorry, misunderstood the post.

You probably could have been receiving tax credits or Universal credit all the time you have been working.

Try the calculator to see whether your claim would be for Universal Credit or the old benefits.

Good luck!

undlou

Thanks for your help pmlindyloo!!