Tax credits - this seems a lot, is it right

[SwitchedtoEatingCheese]

I have recently split up with my husband and am trying to get myself sorted out. I've just been on the tax credit calculator and am struggling to believe this is right and was wondering if any of you were in a similar situation - I don't want to receive money and then have to pay it back -

Anyway, I earn 25 k and work 30+ hours a week. Have four children (all above 1yr but under 16) and pay no registered childcare. The calculator says I should get an extra £160 per week.

That seems an awful lot and I'm thinking that can't possibly be right? is it?

.

Thanks for replying but unsure what a single dot means?

Sorry it's a way of marking a place to show interest in a thread - similar income and 3 dcs so interested in answers

I'm going to phone them probably tomorrow (don't really want everyone at work earwigging) so I will let you know. I will be delighted if that is the case, another £600 a month would be bloody marvellous.

However with everyone talking about cuts and how little benefits are I just struggle to believe I'm entitled to that much.

Have you tried inputting your details into the Turn2us calculator? It's very accurate, but chasing up with a call is the best way to check.

link

Its all to do with thresholds etc and your taxable income for 2012/2013 so when you call have your last P60 to hand. The child tax credit would be quite high in your case due to the 4 children (for example that part of my tax credits is nearly £50 for 1 child and no childcare costs) hope that helps

Sorry, ignore my post. I see you've already been on a calculator

The calculator actually said I'd be entitled to help with my council tax too!

I can't believe i stayed with that arsehole for so many years as I though i couldn't afford to split!

I work for hmrc, sounds about right. Best way is to ring helping with previous and current year income.
You get £62 per week child tax credit for your first child, that amount slowly decreases per child. I'd have thought you would also get a small element of working tax too.
If you call an advisor can tell you what you are entitled to and explain which elements you qualify for.
Make sure you insist they do an eligibility calculator, some advisors may ask you to check online, by doing one over the phone advisor can explain things to you and answer any questions.
They will then send form out to you to confirm details, current turn around time for claim to payment is around 5 weeks, claim can be backdated for a month too- bear that in mind.
Good luck!

I'd be surprised if you got council tax benefit but you would be able to claim the single person discount of 25%

Thank you all. I'm quite delighted as i never imagined I'd be entitled to anything. I think redhelenB you are right about the council tax, the amount the calculator said is about 25% so I'm assuming that is a single persons discount.

The entitlement tables on HMRC are useful too. A table for up to 3 children (work, pay no childcare) is at www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits/people-advise-others/entitlement-tables/work-and-child/work-no-childcosts.htm

Other tables linked from www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits/people-advise-others/entitlement-tables/index.htm

The amounts seems to tally with the calculator reassuringly.