Zero hour contract + tax credits+ covid19

annaloulou

Absolutely no mention yet by Rishi about those on zero hour contracts? Anyone else in my minority position - my zero hour school contracts remain, my agency position remains, but I am receiving zero work (of course), so can't fulfil my 16hrs per week on average minimum for Tax Credits?
Tax Credits is working with a reduced staff on reduced opening times, so can't make contact..and there is no mention of anything on .gov website. The £20 rise in Tax Credits or Universal Credit won't go anywhere if we are no longer eligible to claim. Any guesses?

FtbDreaming

It says on the tax credit app not to inform them of a reduction in hours during the outbreak as it is exceptional circumstances/ temporary.

Sweepy2013

FtbDreaming said:

It says on the tax credit app not to inform them of a reduction in hours during the outbreak as it is exceptional circumstances/ temporary.

Hi FtbDreaming. The OPs situation is very similar to mine. I was wondering if you could provide a screen shot of the Tax Credits app where this information is stated as I can't find any information anywhere. Also, does this include changes to childcare costs? I am a single parent and worried sick!! Many thanks

FtbDreaming

I am not sure if this works never posted a pic before. Im on 0 hours contract too but going to try and continue to work as normal. If my hours drop ill be making them up in future weeks im sure so it still averages out. 

I have never claimed childcare element so i cant help you with that one. 

calcotti

Sweepy2013 said:

FtbDreaming said:

It says on the tax credit app not to inform them of a reduction in hours during the outbreak as it is exceptional circumstances/ temporary.

Hi FtbDreaming. The OPs situation is very similar to mine. I was wondering if you could provide a screen shot of the Tax Credits app where this information is stated as I can't find any information anywhere. Also, does this include changes to childcare costs? I am a single parent and worried sick!! Many thanks

Have you logged into your Tax Credit account online to see if there are any messages?
Any changes to childcare costs will, I think, still need to be reported in the normal way.

Sweepy2013

My problem is that I have a permanent 15 hours per week contract (total working hours 21 per week as I have another job that's not with the agency) and have been told that luckily, I am still being paid by the agency I work for for that 15 hours *at the moment* (as is dependent on LA funding), even though I have not worked this week (School transport for a child with special needs, not currently attending school due to health reasons, although this may change). My own child has a place at his own school if I need it as I am classed as a Keyworker and still have to be available to fulfil my 15 hours per week contract with the agency. I will still have to pay for childcare at my son's school that falls outside of 9am-3.30pm, (which obviously applies to my job on school transport), but only if he attends. So if I don't know if/when I will need to use childcare during the coronation pandemic, how can I tell Tax Credits what my new costs will be?!
Sorry about such a long post! Any help gratefully received 😊

Sweepy2013

Coronavirus not coronation!!!