What are the implications of dropping below 16hrs per week?

[BettyButterknife]

Am currently working 22.5 hours per week. As a temporary measure, all the staff in my organisation are being asked to drop their hours to save money over the next financial year. This would take me down from 3 days to 2, or 15 hours.

I am vaguely aware that there is some kind of threshold set at 16 hours - this seems to be referred to a lot in tax credit forms etc - but can anyone give me more information about this and what the implications might be if I do drop down below it?

Not sure but could you negotiate with your employer to do two slightly longer days of eight hours each?

Check out the Directgov website - they are usually very good with that kind of info

Do you have children Betty? If so, you're probably receiving working families tax credit. The eligibility criteria is set at 16 hours. If you work below those hours, I'm not sure what you would be entitled to.

Also as from next April the criteria changes to 24 hours - to be worked as at least 16 hours by one partner. Do you have a partner? Not wishing to be intrusive, it's just that your original post didn't really explain all of your circumstances.

Yes, I have two children and a partner who works full time. Sorry for not being clearer. So I'd be better off (aside from salary) working 16 hours rather than 15 if I can wangle it?

You would not be entitled to working tax credit below 16 hour.

If your partner is already working full time it won't make any difference from the pov of tax credits.

if you drop to 15 hours, I mean.

I have just had a quick look around and I think the 16 hours is important whether you are in a couple or not - but I think the best bet would be to ring up the tax credit people themselves

If you're in a couple then between the two of you, you need to work a minimum of 16 hours. If one person is working full time then the other partner reducing THEIR hours to below 16 hours is irrelevant.