Council Tax, Working Tax Credit and Pension Credit.

[Mother's Little Helper]

Next year I will lose my Working Tax Credit under the new rules because I will be over the age when I could claim Pension Credit. My business pays me little or nothing although I have invested in it heavily in the hope to make an income for myself. I do not think I should necessarily go on getting WCT when the business is not contributing to my income at this point but I am loath to claim Pension Credit as I would like to go on running the business - in hope! How will the council look at me not claiming Pension Credit. If I did claim it all my Council Tax will be paid as opposed a proportion of it as it is at the moment. If I don't my income will actually be less but I might, just might, make a little from the business during the year. My aim is, of course, to earn enough so that I can pay all my Council Tax and not be dependent on any benefit even if my income is small. I can just about get by on my Pension without claiming Pension Credit but if I have to pay Council Tax I will not be able to do so, and will have to claim the tax credit and will be mired in the benefits system much more than I want to be.

 

Any help/suggestions would be welcome.

[Nystagmite]

They may assume that you claim pension credit. However, any amount of pension credit entitles you to full council tax benefit.

[estellyn]

You can work and claim pension credit. There is no limit to hours, they will just take into account your earnings after a disregard.

[Mother's Little Helper]

Thank you both. I didn't know I could claim and earn even a little bit. I will try and find out what the disregard is. I know Pension Credit is a gateway benefit and that worries me a bit as you get so emmeshed in the system with these. However, I have to be sensible and, at this time of life, adding to your income becomes more difficult so it probably has to be done.