HAVE YOU CLAIMED THE NEW TAX CREDITS ?

In April 2003, existing tax credits were replaced by two new tax credits: Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit. The new tax credits have replaced:

Children's Tax Credit
Working Families' Tax Credit (WFTC)
Disabled Persons' Tax Credit (DPTC)
The money for children in Income Support and income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
The New Deal 50+ Employment Credit

Child Tax Credit will be the way that families will get money for their children, and for some 16 to 18 year olds, and is based on your income. You can claim whether or not you are in work. It has replaced existing tax credits and benefits with a single system - so that all families with children, with income of up to £58,000 a year (or up to £66,000 if there is a child under one year old), will be able to claim the credit in the same way.

CAN I CLAIM THE CHILD TAX CREDIT (CTC)?

Child Tax Credit is a payment to support families with children. You can claim Child Tax Credit if you are responsible for one child (or young person) or more. You do not have to be working to claim. Child Tax Credit will be paid in addition to Child Benefit and any Working Tax Credit.

Child Tax Credit will provide support for:

A child until 1st September following his or her 16th birthday, or

A young person aged 16 to 18 who

Is in full-time education, up to and including 'A' Levels, NVQ Level 3 or Scottish Highers.
Has left full-time education but does not have a job or a training place and has registered with the CareersService or Connexions Service. (Connexions Service does not apply in Scotland or Northern Ireland.)
Is not claimimg Income Support or tax credits in his or her own right.
Is not serving a custodial sentence of four months or more imposed by a court.

CAN I CLAIM WORKING TAX CREDIT (WTC)?

Working Tax Credit is a payment to top up the earnings of working people on low incomes, including those who do not have children. There are extra amounts for working households in which someone has a disability. It is available to employees and self-employed people, and includes support for the costs of qualifying childcare. Working Tax Credit is paid in addition to any Child Tax Credit you may be entitled to.

People who are responsible for a child or young person can claim Working Tax Credit if:

You are aged 16 or over and work at least 16 hours a week.

People without children can claim Working Tax Credit if:

You are aged 25 or over and work at least 30 hours a week
You are aged 16 or over and work at least 16 hours a week, and you have a disability which puts you at a disadvantage in getting a job.
You or your partner are aged 50 or over and work at least 16 hours a week, and are returning to work after time spent on qualifying out-of-work benefits.

The detailed rules that apply to people with disabilities abd to people aged 50 or over returning to work after a period on benefits are explained in the notes which are issued with the claim form

As part of Working Tax Credit, you may qualify for extra help towards the costs of registered or approved child care. This is known as the child care element within Working Tax Credit. you can only get this if you are working at least 16 hours a week. If you are part of a couple, both you and your partner must each work at least 16 hours a week, unless one of you is prevented from working by incapacity.

HOW DO I FIND OUT ABOUT IT?

If you are a Lone Parent considering returning to work there are a range of benefits available

For more information contact the Lone Parent Advisors on 020 8481 3000

Or email: peter.elston@jobcentreplus.gov.uk

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To find out if you are entitled to Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit or both, you can go online at www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/taxcredits to check your eligibility. If you find you are entitled to tax credits, you will be able to make your claim online immediately.

If you don't have access to the internet, check your eligibility or get a claim pack by phoning 0800 500 222

(Lines are open between 7am and 11pm, seven days a week.)

If you need further advice about the tax credits or the claim forms telephone the Working Tax Credit Helpline on

0845 300 3900 (England, Scotland & Wales) or 0845 603 2000 (Northern Ireland)

Textphone the helpline on 0845 300 3909 (England, Scotland & Wales) or 0845 607 6078 (Northern Ireland)

Lines are open between 8am and 8pm, seven days a week (except Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day and Easter Sunday).

Kingston Children's Information Service (CIS) can also provide advice and support for those considering applying for Working Tax Credit or looking for eligible childcare. Contact them on 020 8547 6582 or cis@rbk.kingston.gov.uk

The best advice though is do not miss out on this extra help from the government, even if you think you may not be eligible, it is worth telephoning the helpline to check.