Can anyone answer a wtc query?

Wicked_witch

Mainly asking because it is impossible to get through to them on the phone atm!

I work term time only, for 14.5 hrs, so currently not entitled anyway but... I had always thought that if I was to claim I would have to average my hours out over the year, which would bring me in at under 16 even if i was working a good few more.

However, from some answers given to another poster, it seems I might not have to do that, but can just say it's 16 hours (if it really was, I mean!). I did check the site and it says I would have to 'usually work 16 hours or more', so does that cover term time workers?

This is pretty theoretcial atm, because I get an unusually high hourly rate because of the nature of my work (one to one complex needs) so if I was doing 16 hours I'd be just over the threshold. But it would be handy knowledge for when my current student leaves the college and I have to move to a lower paid post.:o

DaisyFlower

The site says you must work at least 16 hours a week, so I read this that it has to be 16 hours every week.

woozywendy

Hi
I work term time in school. I do 6.25 hours a week and they average my hours out at 4 a week. When I first started my job I remember something about them saying they only did this for people who worked term time, sorry it was a while ago.

Wicked_witch

This is what i thought and was told a few years back when I applied but having read this link http://www.cpag.org.uk/cro/tax-credits/term_time_only_workers.htm from another thread I'm confused, especially given your post, wendy!

woozywendy

I am as well - confused I mean - in one example "mel" is classed as working 20 hours a week and the other example she has her hours averaged out over the year so she can possibly claim jsa in the holidays. If you claim jsa does that not mean yuo are available for work ? If so what happens when term starts again ?

[Deleted User]

If you are only paid during term time you cannot claim during the holidays when you are not being paid as you are not in Remunerative Employment.

If your contract you are paid during the holidays (even though you are not technically working) you can continue to claim WTC during this time as you are still classed as being in Remunerative Employment.

If you work 16+ hours (and have either a disability or children) during term time, you can continue to claim WTC only during term time. You do not average your hours out over the year.

Note that you must work 30+ hours per week and be age 25+ if you have no children or disabilities.

Wicked_witch

That's clearer, thank you. In my last job I worked only term time but had my salary paid over the year, so that must be why they averaged my hours out and confused me. Odd really- I have no problems creating logic circuits or doing quadratic equations (thanks to my current post in an engineering school) but present me with a few forms and I'm stuck!