Working tax credit
Working Tax Credit supports working households on low incomes by topping up earnings. It is made up of a number of elements depending on your circumstances. For example, extra amounts are available to those who work at least 30 hours a week and to those who are working and have a disability . It also includes an element to help with the costs of Ofsted registered or approved child care, known as the childcare element .
Working Tax Credit is a payment to top up the earnings of low paid working people (whether employed or self-employed). You don\\\'t need to have children to qualify. Working Tax Credit helps to make work pay for low income workers .
Are you eligible•
To claim Working Tax Credit, you must usually be aged 25 or over and working at least 30 hours a week.
The rules are different if you belong to one of the following groups:
disabled people - if you have a disability that puts you at a disadvantage in getting a job you have to be aged 16 or over and work 16 hours or more a week
over 50s - if you are aged 50 or over and you\\\'re returning to work after a period on benefit you have to work 16 hours or more a week
parents - if you are responsible for a child you have to be aged 16 or over and work for 16 hours or more a week
Tax credits are based on your household income and circumstances, so you\\\'ll need to give information that includes:
your income and the number of hours you normally work a week
the income of your partner or civil partner (if you have one) and the number of hours they normally work a week
any benefits you\\\'re getting
the number and ages of children (if you have any)
the amount you spend each week on childcare
How to claim
You can:
claim Working Tax Credit by post
EN">report a change of circumstance by phone or post
renew your tax credits award by phone or post (once you get the form sent to you in April or May)
You can order a claim pack over the phone by calling the helpline on 0845 300 3900, textphone 0845 300 3909.
Lines are open every day (except Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year\\\'s Day and Easter Sunday) from 8 .00 am to 8.00 pm.
When calling make sure that you know or have your National Insurance Number with you as you will need to give this to prove who you say you are.
How it\\\'s paid
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) will pay Working Tax Credit by Direct Payment to your bank, building society, Post Office account or National Savings account .
If you\\\'re part of a couple or civil partnership and you both work at least 16 or 30 hours a week, you can decide who\\\'ll get the Working Tax Credit payments.
HMRC pays the childcare element of Working Tax Credit directly to the main carer for all the children in the family, along with Child Tax Credit.
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