Tax Credits & Benefits

This section will update you with all the latest news, plus be where you can check expert answers to other reader’s questions about tax credits and entitlements.

Child Tax Credits

Child Tax Credit has been replaced by Universal Credit for the majority of people.

You can only make a new claim for Child Tax Credit if you get the severe disability premium or got it in the past month and are still eligible for it.

If your child is 16, you can claim up until 31 August after their 16th birthday.

If you cannot make a new claim for Child Tax Credit, you may be able to apply for:

1. 1. Universal Credit – if you’re of working age
   2. Pension Credit – if you’re of Pension Credit qualifying age

Helping to pay for childcare

In addition to tax-free childcare and support for three and four year olds, there are other ways of cutting your childcare bill.

Check with the tax credit calculator to see whether you are eligible for tax credits for childcare and how much you can claim. You cannot claims tax-free childcare and tax credits/Universal Credit. Tax credits are being rolled up into Universal Credit for new claimants, depending on where you live. You cannot claim tax credits and UC.

Tax credits include:

· Child tax credit
· Working families tax credit
· Childcare element of working families tax credit
· Disabled child’s premium.

As mentioned above, your employer may operate a childcare voucher scheme. These can be used for approved or registered childcare. However, vouchers may affect your entitlement to tax credits so check this out.

With all childcare preparations, remember always to have an emergency back-up plan in case your child gets sick and cannot go to nursery or your child carer is ill or otherwise indisposed.

Working tax credits

Whether you can get Working Tax Credit depends on:

1. the hours of paid work you do each week
2. your income and circumstances

Find out more here.

Hours you work

You must work a certain number of hours a week to qualify.

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