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Tax credits and housing benefit when doing ad hoc work

2 replies

Codandchops · 06/03/2012 09:46

Hoping someone can advise here.

I am out of work as my lease car came to the end of it's run and I no longer worked enough hours for another one. I need my car to do my job but could not increase my hours as my son is autistic and does not sleep very well. Upshot is I am usually exhausted and work the hours I do to try and keep a happy medium. So - no car = no job Sad

However, I managed via ebay to buy an old car, sadly too late to keep my job but it does mean I can do some ad-hoc work for my employer (my job has been filled so I can't go back to it). They are able to offer me occasional work though and I am hopeful of some other work too in various places.

However, if I claim housing benefit, tax credits etc, how do I keep on top of making sure I don't get overpaid by them. I am assuming with housing benefit I can just send copies of any pay slips I recieve but tax credits seem to be a whole nightmare in this situation as they seem to want to know an annual amount which I won't know. Am guessing some people here must be self employed or work ad hoc and will know these things!

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CogitoErgoSometimes · 06/03/2012 12:16

You have to make an educated guess on your total household income based on some realistic averages. Tax Credits are worked out on the previous year's income but you can submit an estimate for the new tax year if your circumstances have changed.

If you're a lone parent, you'll need to be working 16 hours+ to qualify for Working Tax Credits. If you're part of a couple it is 24+ hours per week. Child Tax Credits are not dependent on hours worked. If, as you go through the year, you find your hours and pay are significantly higher or lower than your educated guess then call the Tax Credit Hotline and keep them updated.

Codandchops · 06/03/2012 13:18

Thanks for that Cogito - nightmarish time as I've never had to claim HB/CTB before and tax credits have just been a case of "no change" every year until now.

Okay so will work it out on a few hours a week and keep them up to date if it goes up (hopeful emoticon).

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