We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.

This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
The Forum now has a brand new text editor, adding a bunch of handy features to use when creating posts. Read more in our how-to guide

Nil hour contract (from 16 hours) & Tax Credits

I'm asking this on behalf of my wife.
My wife is currently employed on a 16 hour contract. (She's worked for the employee for over 20 years). Recently she's decided it may be time for a change.
There's a good chance of a job but we both have some questions.
The job is a nil hour contract. Though it is in the care industry and there are the hours available.
Also our daughter is finishing college this July and starting University this September. We currently get Working Tax Credits and Child Tax Credits and myself I get ESA (income related)

Our questions are. How does a nil hour contract affect Tax Credits (I'm presuming Child Tax Credits would stop but will WTC?)? Would we need to inform Tax Credits after each week? If there's a large drop in our income then she says it may mean her having to work more than 16 hours
Thank you.

Comments

  • Comms69
    Comms69 Posts: 14,229 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Third Anniversary Name Dropper
    I suspect you'll move to Universal Credit.
  • Togepi
    Togepi Posts: 1 Newbie
    If her usual hours worked remain at least 16 hours pw (presumably this is her requirement due to you getting a disability benefit) you can continue to receive working tax credit, there is leeway if she drops below on the odd week provided the usual pattern is 16+. Wtc are based on actual working hours not what is written in contract.
    You can visit revenuebenefits advice website to check tax credit requirements, or CAB site.
  • Icequeen99
    Icequeen99 Posts: 3,775 Forumite
    Togepi wrote: »
    If her usual hours worked remain at least 16 hours pw (presumably this is her requirement due to you getting a disability benefit) you can continue to receive working tax credit, there is leeway if she drops below on the odd week provided the usual pattern is 16+. Wtc are based on actual working hours not what is written in contract.
    You can visit revenuebenefits advice website to check tax credit requirements, or CAB site.

    This is only correct whilst CTC is in payment. CTC will stop on 31 August (I assume you have no other children). At that point, your wife will need to work 30 hours in order to continue getting WTC. She only qualifies now at 16 because you are responsible for a child/young person and you are incapacitated (otherwise it would be 24 hours). However, once your daughter moves off the claim, then your wife will need to work 30 hours if you are unable to work.

    IQ
  • calcotti
    calcotti Posts: 15,696 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Icequeen99 wrote: »
    However, once your daughter moves off the claim, then your wife will need to work 30 hours if you are unable to work.

    Slight qualification to this - unless your wife is aged over 60 in which case the requirement would be 16 hours.
    Information I post is for England unless otherwise stated. Some rules may be different in other parts of UK.
  • Icequeen99
    Icequeen99 Posts: 3,775 Forumite
    calcotti wrote: »
    Slight qualification to this - unless your wife is aged over 60 in which case the requirement would be 16 hours.

    yes, that's a good point, I assumed she was under 60 but if not then she could continue with 16 hours instead of 30.

    IQ
  • calcotti
    calcotti Posts: 15,696 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Icequeen99 wrote: »
    ... I assumed she was under 60 ...

    Given age of daughter that does seem likely but I thought I'd better add the qualification just in case ... and for the benefit of anybody else reading the thread.
    Information I post is for England unless otherwise stated. Some rules may be different in other parts of UK.
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 353.7K Banking & Borrowing
  • 254.2K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 455.1K Spending & Discounts
  • 246.8K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 603.3K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 178.2K Life & Family
  • 260.9K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.7K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.