Maternity pay and working tax credit

[Namechanger2735]

I currently work 21 hours a week and claim working and child tax credit..in two weeks il be going on maternity leave for my second child, am I still entitled to working tax credit because technically I'm still employed? Or not entitled because technically I'm not 'working'?

Even though you're not 'working' you are entitled to claim WTC for the first 39 weeks of your maternity leave.

So do I need to ring and make them aware I'm on maternity leave? Or ring on week 39 to let them know my situation? Thank you

I never rung to make them aware of maternity leave. When you renew your claim with your income (for the year you were on maternity leave) just put your earnings and then you can deduct £100 per week for every week you recieved SMP.

So for example your income for the year including all wages and maternity pay is £10,000 and you took 20 weeks maternity pay. Deduct the £2000 (20x£100) and your income figure is £8,000 for the year.

Just check the rules haven't changed as it was 2014 when i had my youngest but that was certainly the way it used to work.

The rules are on www.gov.uk/tax-credits-if-you-have-baby