Does this amount of tax credits sound correct?

[WTFthatsweird]

DH £16,500 per year
Me £3,500 per year (maternity leave)

£35 a week tax credits

(3 kids no childcare currently).

It seems like a really poxy amount. I checked that all the info they had was correct.
My friend who's husband earns more gets a lot more tax credits than us.

We are struggling financially - big time.

Also - when I put this information into the tax credits calculator it says we should get £117 a week.

Stark difference.

Is anyone else in a similar position with earnings that can confirm which amount is most likely to be correct?

My friends husband earns similar to tour combined income and that's what about they get.

You dont get tax credits for a third child, I believe now. That could be wrong, but I thought that was the new rules.

Sounds about right. I am a single parent of 3 and on top of my wages plus tax credits adds up to just a bit less than what you're getting.

Forgot to say, I earn slightly more and get more than you. I however have childcare to pay for.

Oh and I had my 3rd 8 years ago so we are exempt from the new rule.

Yes my 3rd is only 7 months so he doesn't count.

I just put 3 kids to get the info there.

It goes on last years earnings

We are similar- we got a lot more. Are you on universal or tax? Ask them to do it based on current year due to circumstances changing (maternity) 3rd child doesn't count after April 2017 and won't be taken into consideration but you should still be entitled to more

It goes on last years earnings?

So we earned more last year, I was at work.
Now I'm on maternity leave and earn bugger all they cut the TC?

That's pretty shit.

Has your income dropped by more than 2500 a year due to maternity leave.

It is based on your previous year's income which is probably why. Next year you should get more even if you're no longer on maternity leave. Similarly, we've taken a huge income cut this year. Previously, we weren't eligible for tax credits, so are still getting nothing, but I think we will get some from April.

And when I'm back at work at the end of the year and have money again they will increase the tax credits based on this year?
When we don't need it as much?!

That doesn't make any sense at all

Jesus that's so stupid. We can barely afford bread.

I wrote a letter alongside our info and stated what had happened with current circumstances (husband had to leave job for reasons out of his control) I was on maternity and they didn't ask questions- I stated what we were expected to earn that year and why. You should be on the £100 a week mark for your current income.

Thanks for clearing all this up for me.

I'm in panic mode.

You should be on the £100 a week mark for your current income.
Yes that's what the calculator says.

I didn't know about the last years earnings though.

I worked all the hours god sent and I saved up. But I've been on maternity leave 8 months now and all the savings have gone.

Welcome to the system...
In all seriousness, make sure you keep them up to date with every change in your employment when it occurs, as lots of people rack up debts to them.
Also, you used to be able to deduct SMP from your income, which will help you when filling in the form for next year if it still applies.

You need to contact them and state how much your income has fallen and that you're struggling now. How you expect it to increase when you return to work- state how much you expect to earn this current year and why and your circumstances. This is what we did (husband was on 40k before he left his job in the September- we still got credits due to the drop in income and the fact we needed the money) you're best bet it to contact them and explain

I went online after my wages would have a massive increase and updated my potential earnings. Mainly to avoid a massive overpayment at the end of the year.

Id contact them and ask them to use this years figure.

Your not you're

That's the weird thing, things have changed a lot over the years and I always inform them and they always change our TC accordingly.
That's why it seems odd that they are basing it on last years earnings.

Also we got next to no TC last year where our income was bigger. So it's more now but just poxy.

Yes you need it sorted but also can you not go back to work if you are on your 8th month of maternity leave? Plenty people do not take that long especially if struggling so much

I earn £10,000 per year
Tax credits £13,000 per year
Childcare costs £4,800 yearly

Leaves me £18,200 to live off
2 kids single parent
So you are getting more than me

Well I earn £7k a year and get £130 a week tax credits so no way would you get £117 a week (I only have one child though).

It sounds right to me.

Penguinicity yes that's what I'm hoping to do. I emailed my manager two weeks ago and she said she would look into it.
I need to nag her again I think.