How do i know that me and my family will be better off on family tax credits?

Question

The about of benefits we have coming in is alot, as both my children are disabled. My husband had a nervous break down and was on sick for along time. He would like to get back to work, with a job in the offering how are we suppose to know we will be better off on family tax credits?

I went online and we was worse off, i rang the helpline and they told me we was better! How do i know which ones correct! I dont want to be in financial debt and out of home. As much as work is the answer, the system is totally messed up.

Answer 1

I can't advise you as to whether or not you would be better off, but there is a website you can check with:

http://entitledto.co.uk/

Its a free site which calculates what you would approximately receive, taking into account all your current benefits, childcare etc.

A word of warning, be VERY careful when dealing with the Tax Credits Office, send all paperwork by Recorded Delivery and make sure that if you speak to anyone on the phone you get their name and extension number. We are still appealing against a £2000 overpayment that the TCO claim is our fault because "they never got the paperwork we sent them".

I wish you all the best, its a pity 'cause when the system works its great, but when they **** it up its a nightmare!

Answer 2

How correct you are the system is a farce but dont let this discourage you or your husband from going back to work.

Firstly you have to do at least 16hrs work a week to be entitled to tax credits..

Then the amount of tax credits you get is worked out by your annual earnings, then you have your child tax credits based on how many qualifying children you have i.e. under 16 or over 16 till under age 20 studying for a qualification but not a university degree or similar qualification.

They also give help towards child care they pay up 75% towards the cost.

you will also get free prescriptions and dental treatment and discounted glasses.
You can either have free school meals or the clothing grant..

I dont think your husband should rush straight back in to full time employment, go to the citizens advice give them all your details and get them to work out what you would get..In the meantime your husband can do volantary work a few hours a week without losing benefits as long as he tells them he is doing this, that way he can get used to working again..

There is also a programme for people that have been out of the work place for a long time the job he had before might notsuit now so he can see what options are available to him.

Log on to www,learndirect scotland .com they have centres all over and can also advise about tax credits and other issues.

I dont think you will lose all your childrens benefits as they are disabled i.e. mobility, care allowance etc.

Dont let them pressure you in to anything as long as your husband is seen to be making an effort to return to work there aint much they can do.

As for housing benefits you wouldnt get income support but you may get a rebate for rent, council tax..

I sympathise with you totally Im a widow with 2 kids 2 jobs and dont get a widows pension as we werent married ..

I wish you and your family all the best look in to it all Good luck

Answer 3

I recently went back to work and i am single with two young children, i did my claim through our local job centre, which I found very easy as you are talking to a person and they help with all the forms and do a mini quote for you to see if you will be better off. It turned out I was by £160 more a month, and also I have my independence back. Try it you have nothing to lose. Good Luck.

Answer 4

give the exact details on the web and the same on the phone, if there is any disparity write in with your details and askl for a better off calculation.
generally you will be better off with tax credits.
they run a year behind so the confusion may have been there.
so you allowance will be based on the 05/06 tax year if hubby works now.
you will still get help with the kids.

Basically you will be entitled to 15 000 pounds as a household and then whatever extra the state says you kids need because of their needs

Answer 5

There is no transparency to the system - you are at the mercy of the person who works out your claim. The year before last we told the tax credits people everything about our circumstances, immediately that any change occured, and withheld nothing from them, yet at the end of the year it turned out they'd overpaid us £1000 and so our weekly payments this year have been reduced to repay this.

Family Credit was much fairer and more easy for people to understand.

I hope you get sorted out. Can the Citizen's Advice Bureau offer you assistance? All the best to you and your family.

Answer 6

Go to your local CAB and get them to do a benefits check for you. They will be able to tell you not only how much you should get on tax credits but also what you will lose in passported benefits etc. Your husband, if he's on certain benefits, might also qualify for permitted work, where he can earn a certain amount and not lose benefits, that way he can see if he's ready to go back to work without the stress of changing from benefits to work in one go. it also gives you a bit of protection should he not be able to work full time straight away.

Answer 7

tax credit facilitates cos goverment needs people to artwork what i imagine is the money you get from credit only is going lower back interior the goverment ie council lease indirectly we no longer gaining. A relatives of four our selfs we manage without dishonest yet no longer better off.

Answer 8

the online form always seems to give a lower amount.
i get £50 a week for one child, im pregnant at the moment and tried to use online form but it says i will only get £17 a week when i have 2 children.
i would listen to the helpline.

Answer 9

Go to your local jobcentre if your husband is still claiming incapacity benefit ask to see an IBPA or DEA they can do a better off calculation. Its only an estiamte but r usually spot on or there abouts.

Answer 10

Try seeing your local citizen advice bureau for better luck.