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Working Tax Credit

 
Working Tax Credit (WTC) is for people in low paid work. You do not need to have children to qualify.

If you do have children, remember that you may also be able to:

Who can claim

You can claim WTC if one of the following applies:

  • you have at least one dependent child, and you (or your partner if you have one) work for at least 16 hours a week, or
  • you (or your partner) are aged 25 or over, and work for at least 30 hours a week, or
  • you have a disability or health problem that limits the work you can do (See if you are sick or disabled for details), or
  • you are aged 50 or over, and work for at least 16 hours a week.

What you get

How much you get depends on your yearly taxable income before deductions. You get more if you are disabled or work for 30 hours a week or more.

If you already get Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit a claim for WTC will reduce the amount of help you get with these, but you will still be better off. Make sure you tell Greenwich Advice and Benefits Service about changes in your income.

If your circumstances change

To avoid being overpaid Tax Credits, there are some changes of circumstance which you have to tell HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) about. You must do this within one month of the date of the change.

How to claim

If you are claiming for the first time, please ring the Tax Credit Helpline on 0845 300 3900 (textphone 0845 300 3909). They can tell you how much you could get and send you a claim form. There is one form to claim for both WTC and CTC.

If you are renewing an existing claim, see tax credit renewals for details of what you need to do.

Claims can be backdated up to three months.

Further information

If you have any further enquiries, call Greenwich Welfare Rights Service on the number on the right or use the online enquiry form.

See the Families section for information on help with childcare.

Comprehensive information on Tax Credits is also available in the Benefits and Work leaflet.

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