Tax credits to universal credit help

KellO84

Hi, so myself husband and 6 children are on the tax credit system

Our circumstances have changed recently and my husband has left his employment and we have started a new business. We now have a lower income and need to apply for housing benefit this won't be forever but I’m worried applying for UC housing benefit we will lose our child element as 5 children get it and the 6th was born after the April,cap.

The calculators say we are entitled to more just such a worry to apply and change it it doesn’t work out in our favour can anyone offer advice on changing?

calcotti

I suggest you look very carefully at the rules around self employment and UC. Although this will not apply immediately after 12 months from the date you started self employment you will be treated as receiving a certain amount of income from your business even if you are actually earning less - this is called the Minimum Income Floor.
https://www.gov.uk/self-employment-and-universal-credit
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/wales/benefits/universal-credit/on-universal-credit/how-the-minimum-income-floor-works-if-youre-self-employed/

As regards children I assume only 5 children are covered by Child Tax Credits at the moment. The same 5 should be included on a UC award.