to reduce my hours at work and claim additional tax credits?

[KidderminsterKate]

I've worked it out even with the new figures for april 2011 and there will be no major difference with my income......yet I will have more time to do the things that need doing and less stress.

Still, something doesn't seem quite right about doing this.....morally I guess! AIBU? Need to ask my manager tomorrow if I decide to do this.

just makes you a benefit scrounger tbh

Yes, but to be fair the system's wrong in that it allows people to do this.

With the way things are going, I think you'd be mad to jump at any perceived advantage involving tax credits. The Govt have finally recognised that many people have played the system for years, and have deliberately kept their working hours at the right level - ie high enough to take advantage of tax credits, but low enough to still be eligible. You're daft if you think this is a sensible plan long term. What about pension, NI contributions....? Very short sighted of you on a personal level, and very selfish on a broader level. You're clearly quite happy for others to work longer hours to fund those tax credits, aren't you? What makes you deserving of more time to do the things that need doing? Don't you think other people have things that need doing too?

You'll reduce your hours and then the tax credit system will get changed
DC 's aim is to ensure everyone who works hard is better off than those who don't
only do it if you know you can up your hours again if necessary or if you can live without tax credits

No, you are not being unreasonable.

Although I would not count on tax credits in the longer term. If you need a little time to yourself for personal reasons, then why not? Do complete 'the things' that need doing and relax a bit.

After all, you are still working and once you have the 'other things' sorted and more relax, you may be able to increase your hours again and feel reinvigorated on take on the stress again.

I don't think you have got this right. I think you must have got your sums wrong tbh.... I know someone who went from part time to full time, she told me her tax credits stayed the same but she obviously got a lot more in wages... plus I think there is a bonus if you work 30 hours or more. I guess other people will know more than me but you should make sure you are right about this before talking to your boss as I really don't think that is correct.

"DC 's aim is to ensure everyone who works hard is better off than those who don't"

Really? That is a huge thing. How are they going to decide who is working hard and who isn't? How will they change things to ensure that people working hard in say 3 cleaning jobs are paid more than a person in say a management role in the financial sector who doesn't work very hard?

Conversely, this will penalise people who are very good at what they do and can "coast" as compared to less competent colleagues who have to work flat out to keep on top of things.

I hadn't heard of this new policy and will be interested to see how the implement it.

Do you even understand the purpose of the Welfare State and what benefits are for?

People shouldn't feel entitled to pick and choose how they are better off, it isn't about entitlement to benefit FFS. Tax credits and benefits are about helping out those who are genuinely in need because they can't work and support themselves, or because they work hard and still don't have enough.

How can you even consider giving up some hours of work to claim from the State so that you have more time to yourself - I don't even know how to explain how morally disgusting that attitude is, because it seems so obviously wrong to me.

And the fact that the system is a mess, and that plenty of other people do it, etc etc still doesn't make it right or acceptable.

Everyone has a responsibility to support themselves and their families and this country will go to total shit as long as people don't understand that benefits etc are there to help out if needed, and they are not an entitlement for you to choose. They should always be the last resort.

No i dont think yabu - i work 30 hours a week - i was asked to up my hours to 38 but ive turned it down on the basis that i wont earn a huge amount more yet ill get tax credits taken off me for the extra 8 hours as well as a day less with my dc and more stress at work.

i think thats unfair for anyone to make out like the op is a bad person ,the op isnt saying she is going to give up work and just claim benefits she is just not working additional hours -This is probably going to end up another post about benefit scroungers and to be honest the state isnt the way it is because working parents turn a few extra hours down as they will lose tax credits its in this state because some people are deliberatly fiddling it claiming income support/dla etc etc when they dont need it and the people who really do need it cant get it or are made to feel bad for it because of these people.

This just shows that the tax credit system is wrong.

If you are sure that your sums are correct then it is your entitlement to do this, but there might be consequences in terms of reduced pension contributons, reduced experience at work, and also that if the tax credit system is altered you might not be able to simply choose to increase your working hours.

it's a mad system, I could increase my hours but even with the additional pay I would be a lot worse off because I would lose in WTC

I hate having to rely on them, it keeps you on a certain standard of living (not great) with no incentive to work more unless you get a job that pays loads more than you currently earn

That's why they are changing the system - because it's mad

you would be joining the ranks of those who 'choose' to be on benefits when they have no need to be - the system is wrong that allows this situation arise - it really depends on your moral principles

Are you sure you would get more? You get a premium for working 30+ hours.

Good for you - if it makes sense financially and you get more time with your children then you are not being unreasonable

Just to put the record straight for all the people on here who think that claiming tax credits equals wealth beyond your wildest dreams, you really have to be on a very low income to 'maximise' the tax credits - which means that you still won't have much money. The tax credit system benefits those who work, not those who don't. Without it, we would just go back to more women (especially) signing on as work wouldn't pay.

However, if it is about having a better work-life balance, then I don't blame you. I have just had a conversation with a very hard-working health care professional who was working flat out on nights, and who ended up having a breakdown. She was no good in her job and no good for her kids. How can this be ok?

Think OP needs to take her own advice, seems when other people expect others to take care of them then "my view on this is that if you want better for your daughter then you have to achieve this yourself" yet quite happy to have double standards and reduce working hours to take from other tax payers.

The tax credits system will go at some point and all those who choose to work as little hours as possible will find themselves in a hard situation of their own making. Can't come soon enough, a benefit system that allows people to choose hours and turn down extra work/wage rises is simply madness.