Working Tax Credits

Kitten347

Hi.  I wonder if anyone can answer this question of Working Tax Credits.  I'm self employed and qualify for Working Tax Credits.  Due to a disability the hours I do to qualify are 16hrs per week.  Now with none essential workers having to stay at home my hours will drop to zero for however many weeks this goes on.  Does anyone know if they will relax this rule of how many hours you have to work each week to qualify?  I receive a state pension so doubt I'll be able to apply for anything else.  Many thanks.

Jeremy535897

A regular poster reported second hand that calls to WTC staff said there was a 2 month relaxation on hours, but this is just anecdotal.
I understand the Chancellor is to make a statement about help for the self-employed very soon, so see what he says.

christian49

Just spoken to them and they are extending wtc for 8 weeks. After that they don’t know. Effectively they told me if the gvt doesn’t extend this you could lose your wtc after this time. 

christian49

if you are self employed. Be careful if they introduce last 3 years income as way to pay top ups as people in start up year won’t apply to them as no history. Ssp (universal credit) only applies if u have been told to self isolate and esa if you have the virus. The grants for small businesses from LA only apply if limited co not sole traders. Add to that the psi level loss of wtc after 8 weeks and u are even worse off. 

Kitten347

Thank you both for your replies.  Have to wait and see what happens after the 8 weeks then.  Stressful times for everyone.  Stay safe!