Tax credits reducing hours at work should I tell them?

[AlwaysSunshine81]

Hi. Up until the summer holidays I have been working 27 hours a week. When I go back in September I will be doing 22. This may only be temporary until January.
Should I tell tax credits and housing benefit or will it not make much difference?
Thanks!

You should always report any change in circumstances - it will make a slight difference but over time this will help you out!

Will I get less money? And how will it help me out?
Thanks!

Yes you must tell them especially HB. They will catch you if you don’t and it will cause you a lot of hassle while they stop your claim to reassess it

Yes you may get less money but you are earning more money, hopefully it will even out

But don’t chance it

Yeah totally tell them, like they know anyway as they are hmrc and all tax etc goes through them you don't tell them you'll end up with an over payment. You do tell them you might get a bit less but your housing benefit should go up a bit... Given everyone is on the road to switching to universal credit you don't wanna end up in debt to hmrc because unlike tax credit payback rates uc is a lot higher and you can't really challenge it

Best tell them now and get less money then wait to get a large bill because you owe it back.

Honesty’s the best policy when it comes to things you can be financially penalised for.

Depending on your circumstances reducing your hours below 24hrs / week might end your eligibility for Working Tax Credits. Seek a benefit check from citizens advice on weather the universal credits work allowance may make you better off if your working tax credit ends.

Hi,
Please bear in mind that once you report this change to Tax Credits, they may tell you that you now need to make a claim for Universal Credit. This is because certain changes in circumstances automatically trigger Migration to Universal Credit.