Child tax credits

[Steph2541]

Hi my freindhas a 3 month old baby she has nearly finished her maternity leave she has just told me that she has been told she is not allowed to claim any child tax credits its her first child. Her oh works 30 hours a week minimum wage and she will be going back as 20 hours a week this is only ruff work out but is only 11 thousand a year with both working. With hmrc she would of been eleigable for both child and working tax because the cut of says 30 thousand a year but her area has changed to uc and neither of us know anything about that but I would think she would atleast get the child tax credits if not both hope somone can help

Sorry ment 18 thousand

I think if she’s in a UC area then that’s replaced Tax Credits but it’s always worth calling Tax Credits and asking, I’d be surprised if you couldn’t claim for your first child I thought it was the first two that you could claim for. How on earth are 2 adults only earning £11k between them, perhaps she can’t claim because they’re not working enough hours?

doing a rough benefits calculation then your friends could get UC and Council Tax reduction as well as Child Benefit it is worth applying ahead of time and to bear in mind that there is a delay of 5 weeks before first UC payment, that UC is paid by calendar month and needs to be updated if income fluctuates. Loads of online info and benefits calculators.
TrueTurn2us and entitledto - look at Citizens Advice site as well.
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/

This is what I'm thinking she's got to be able to get atleast child tax credits as she not evan geting that and u don't need to work to get that. I think they are working enuough hours as a couple they have to work at least 24 hours minimum a week.

She apparently done this and phoned them and they both saying she isn't entitled to anything no working tax and no child tax so all she gets is child benifit I will advise her to do it again maybe. She is new to all this never not worked or had any children so maybe she has got confused somewhere

if she is in a full service UC area then they will be applying for UC - do the postcode check on the CAB site. Tax credits are being phased out.

Uc is what I'm asking about

Then why are you mentioning WTC and CTC sorry - I got a bit confused? If you want UC you don't ask HMRC about Tax credits - UC is administered by DWP and application is done online there is a helpline (free) for UC info 0800 328 5644

They will be able to get Uc if they are in a full service UC area. UC replaces six means tested benefits - housing benefit, Income support, job seekers allowance, income related ESA and working and child tax credits.

I got a figure of £250 a month for her UC but it depends on housing costs if your friend is paying a mortgage then there will not be any help just a loan for mortgage interest, and much depends on savings, Assets etc. I don't know what / if any childcare costs etc. so the figure I got based on the info from op is not going to be accurate.

Is your friend currently claiming housing benefit ? if so this will stop if she makes a claim for UC to be able to get the child element.

Bigmouth - people cannot get the loan for mortgage interest support until they have been on a qualifying benefit for nine month. As both are working they will not be eligible for it.

sorry yes i should have made that clear!