working tax credits

[heatseeker67]

How do 'working tax credits'?

Thank you

[LuckyLopez]

Do you want to finish your question?

[heatseeker67]

that should read - how do they work...

[LuckyLopez]

Lots of info here

www.gov.uk/working-tax-credit/eligibility

[heatseeker67]

so is this money you get you don't have to pay back? an idiot's guide explanation would be most helpful...

[afreshstartplease]

Yes you don't pay it back as long as your are entitled
If you get an overpayment which is common then you have to pay back

[heatseeker67]

i think it is conceivable i may have been eligible for this for several years - is that money lost forever?

[afreshstartplease]

Yes they only backdate for one month

[heatseeker67]

an idiot proof overview of the subject would be much appreciated...

[LuckyLopez]

Have you read the link? That's pretty idiot proof.

[ssd]

why not phone them and just ask

[heatseeker67]

if you're self employed doesn't make it difficult measure how many hours you work...

[heatseeker67]

can you email them? it is not always easy to do things for me during office hours at the moment...

[afreshstartplease]

I don't think so but they open Saturday and I think until 8pm week days

[heatseeker67]

Or text them perhaps? Perhaps you can send a text from a mobile to a textphone? Anyone know? Or is this just for the hard-of-hearing? Thanks

[lougle]

Google is your friend here.

Idiot proof summary:

Working tax credits are for people in work who earn a low income.
"In work" is defined as working with the expectation of money. How many hours you must do to be "in work" depends on whether you are single or in a couple, your age, if you have children or have a disability.
If you have children, work enough hours for a low enough income and need childcare, you'll get some of the cost back.

[heatseeker67]

i did try to phone them this morning, thus running up my phone bill on hold - is there no way of doing things by email/internet or even post?

[flowery]

The official information posted above says you need to phone, so I would assume that was the case. Try ringing at different times of day, as they might be less busy.

[heatseeker67]

very difficult to do that at the mo - annoying = can understand hmrc not wanting sensitve info going missing online - but not just a request for a form... it'd be easier for me to use post

[heatseeker67]

maybe somebody on these boards is already signed up and knows the various contact methods...

[bobs123]

I had to contact them recently to change my income. i had to phone - 35 mins of which 25 were on hold and cost just over £3.00 (phone bill came today!)

I only started claiming last year (I applied either by post or on the net) and started off using the calculator tool which was useful. Yes they only backdate about a month. Working and child tax credits are calculated at the same time.

Really the info is all there - you just need to read it!

[bobs123]

oops - quick google - looks like you do have to phone for a claim form (fuzzy memory).

[heatseeker67]

so you can apply initially by post or net then? can i get the link or right address details? thx

[bobs123]

Nope - as I said above, you have to phone. Just bite the bullet, have all details to hand and phone mid morning or mid afternoon

[heatseeker67]

cant do that at the moment though...

[heatseeker67]

maybe i can post a letter to preston (?) - doesn't say only for complaints here:

www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs/contact/tax-credits-enquiries