Need 16 hours for working tax credit but only do 15...

[Cheryllou]

Hi,

I have recently separated from my husband and have just found out I can claim Working Tax Credit which would amount to hundreds of pounds a week.

However, I only work 2 days a week amounting to 15 hours and need to do 16.

I have been back and forth to my employer who won't negotiate the extra hour, even though I do it in overtime anyway as they say the tax office will see it as fraud... longs story, but long and short is they won't help me.

Does anyone know how I can get an extra hour? For example, could I go self-employed and clean a friends house for an hour (have childcare issues in day) a week? Or would there be too much red tape?

[tiredemma]

I think I remember seeing a post on here(ages ago though) about someone who had this problem, they overcome it by delivering free news papers or leaflets IIRC

[Cheryllou]

Ha! I work for a local paper so shouldn't be a problem! Just what to do with babies is...Thanks though.