Working Tax Credits for 3 months only: is ist worth the pain?

[san_d]

Hello, I have recently signed off JSA (yeah!) and started a temp job (with company not agency) that will hopefully bring me to Christmas.

 

The contract says that they can only guarantee me 20 hours a week but after the first week we have learnt we will be working 45 hours a week till Xmas (no alterations have been made on the contract though).

 

1) When I signed off, the Jobcentre officer said I'd have to wait 4 weeks of full time work till I can claim Tax Credits. Is this correct or can I start claiming now, as long as I have the expectation that it will stay like this for the near future?

 

2) Regardless of how much I could get, is it worth the pain to claim WTC for this short period? Last time I claimed I had all sorts of problems and this forum is also full of horror stories. What are your feelings and your advice about this?

 

Thank you and a nice weekend.

[flumps1976]

You can claim WTC immediately as long as you meet the WTC conditions of emtitlement (working at least the minumum hours which 45 hours per week will definitely meet), I suspect that the 4 weeks you were advised about is because you were claiming for at least an unbroken period of 26 weeks and received at least 1 days income based JSA so you would qualify for the 4 weeks run on payments.

tbh if you have an entitlement the I would advise claiming the wtc for how ever long you qualify for them. just keep hold of your p60/p45 to give the pay infornation either when the job ends or the renewal period whichever comes first.

[jadeybags]

If you need some dental work done, may be worthwhile?

Or need a script from the doc for example..

[sillygirl1]

I would claim now for WTC as it takes them 2 weeks to get the paperwork out - at least that was what the lady told me Friday, and then another 3 weeks from when it goes back to process it.!

[san_d]

Thanks all for your replies. This clarifies the bit about the immediate claim. I have another question about WTC. I'll create a separate thread as it is a complicated issue.

[san_d]

Hello, this is part 2 of my enquiry about Working Tax Credit. I am still not 100% sure I want to go through this due to stress but here it goes.

 

During most of the previous tax year (April 2011-April 2012) I was unemployed and living off JSA but for a period of five months (Jan to mid May 2011) I worked abroad (old EU, can be more specific if needed). By the way I paid tax in the country of work but not in the UK.

 

I wouldn't be able to quantify the part of income that would go into the relevant year as payments usually would come at the month so probably the April 2011 and May 2011 payments could be interested in this issue.

 

Do I have to declare this income to the HMRC for Tax Credit purpose?

 

If so, how to quantify it? The last two months (April-May 2011)? And what figure to use? The net wages, total gross wages or total gross for tax purposes (I was given a 30% discount as a skilled worker)?

 

Thanks

[san_d]

I would claim now for WTC as it takes them 2 weeks to get the paperwork out - at least that was what the lady told me Friday, and then another 3 weeks from when it goes back to process it.!

Thanks. If I decide to claim, will the payments start form the date I claim or from the time I have become full time (retroactively)?

[san_d]

^^^^

 

I am extremely sorry for bumping this thread but I would have to take a decision about this shortly. Does anybody have a hint about this issue? Thanks

[sillygirl1]

Yes, the lady told me the claim dates from the day you contact them and you will get a retrospective payment.

 

I still haven't got my pack yet but it was only last week when I phoned, if it isn't here by Wednesday next week then I will call again.

[honeybee13]

Hello there. I'm sorry you haven't had any replies yet, I think you're asking about a fairly specialised aspect of the rules.

 

Is there a helpline you can ring with your questions? I thought there was, and obviously it's important for you to get this right.

 

My best, HB

[san_d]

Hi HB, yes there is a helpline but it was very helpful last time I called (couple of years ago). So I am a bit intimidated and apprehensive giving them too many details.

[honeybee13]

Hello again.

 

I would have thought if you have nothing to hide, you'd be fine.

 

HB