Tax credit to UC with new job?

[Rosedozenose]

Hi. Tax credit to UC question. I will be starting a job this week as my husband has become unemployed. We are on tax credits til now claimed jointly (so the money came to my account although I wasn't the one employed). Will we continue to get tax credits if we inform them that I will be starting work (and that my husband is now unemployed ) or will this trigger them to ask us to migrate to UC? I would rather stay on tax credits as that's what I'm used to. We don't get any other benefits.

Firstly your husband should claim new-style JSA if he's hasn't yet done so.

Secondly yes you should inform the tax credits office about both changes in circumstances. Whether or not you'll still be eligible for tax credits depends on a few things - how many hours will you be working, do you have children and how old are they.

Do you rent or pay a mortgage?

You might actually find that you'd be better off on UC. Contact help to claim and ask them to do a better off calculation. They will advise you with no obligation to claim UC.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/claiming/helptoclaim/

If you have a joint TC claim then what you describe sounds as if it's a change of circumstances so not a trigger to stop TC's and send you on to UC.

However, depending on circumstances, then as PP suggests you may be better off on Universal Credit. Try using Entitled Too or Turn2Us for a benefit check or call Help to Claim.

Thankyou. So I'll be working 18 hours a week. We have our own home so no rent or mortgage at present. My children are under 18. I will inform them ofc, but was wondering If I could stay on tax credits for now. Or will my new job definitely trigger them to get us to changeover to UC? My husband is unwell but won't be claiming anything just yet. He just needs to rest a few months before looking for work again

He can claim new-style ESA (Employment and Support Allowance), then. He will need to provide fit notes but won't need to look for work.

Are you claiming working tax credits as well? If so, have you checked 18 hours is enough? I may be incorrect but I thought as a couple you had to work 30 hours a week to qualify.

For a couple with children, to get WTC you have to work at least 24 hours a week between you.
OP, this means that if you have been getting WTC it will stop 4 weeks after he left his job. (See https://www.gov.uk/working-tax-credit/further-information)

However, you will have been getting CTC as well, and that won't stop.

He will need to claim nsESA and you should definitely check your UC entitlement as you're likely to be better off. Plus most tax credit claimants will be migrated to UC soon anyway.

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/help-if-on-a-low-income/working-and-child-tax-credits/working-and-child-tax-credits/check-if-you-can-get-working-tax-credits/

Usually in a couple with children to continue to be entitled to working tax credits you need to work 24 hrs a week between you with one of you working 16 hrs +

There are exceptions to allow a WTC claim to continue if you have to stop working, but your DH will need to be getting SSP from his employer or claiming new style ESA.

www.gov.uk/guidance/new-style-employment-and-support-allowance

So check your situation in more detail with help from Citizens Advice, the Help to Claim service will help you work out what will suit your situation. Your DH should claim new style ESA and you may find as a family you would be better off on UC but the only way to know is to have a comprehensive benefits check.

Stay on tc!

Ignore this completely pointless and probably incorrect post.