Tax credits information if you're coming off benefits

If you're going back to work after a period on benefits, you may be able to get tax credits to top-up your income. You could also get tax credit payments to help with the cost of childcare.

On this page:

Qualifying for tax credits

If you've recently found work or you're returning to work after being on benefits, you may be able to get Working Tax Credit. To claim you must normally be aged 25 or over and work at least 30 hours a week. But you only need to work 16 hours or more a week if you:

  • are aged at least 16 and qualify for an extra payment of Working Tax Credit because you're disabled
  • are aged 60 or over

You should expect your paid work to continue for at least four weeks.

Check if you qualify for tax credits - quick questionnaire

What counts as work for Working Tax Credit?

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If you have children

If you have children, you could get Child Tax Credit - you don’t have to be working to claim.

You have children - can you get tax credits for them?

If you're working, you could also get Working Tax Credit. To claim you'll need to be aged at least 16, and work the following hours:

  • if you're single, you need to work at least 16 hours a week
  • if you're in a couple, your joint working hours need to be at least 24 a week, with one of you working at least 16 hours a week

This means that if you're in a couple and only one of you is working, that person must be working at least 24 hours a week.

You can sometimes still qualify if your joint hours are less than 24 a week - follow the link below for more detailed information.

What counts as work for Working Tax Credit

If you pay for childcare

If you work and pay for childcare, you could get up to 70 per cent of your childcare costs in Working Tax Credit. Usually both you and your partner (if you have one) have to work for at least 16 hours a week to qualify.

Help with childcare costs - do you qualify?

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If you are disabled

You may qualify for an extra amount of Working Tax Credit if you meet all these conditions:

  • you must be working for 16 hours or more a week
  • you must have a disability that makes it difficult for you to get a job
  • you must be receiving, or have recently received, a qualifying sickness or disability-related benefit

You have a disability - can you get extra Working Tax Credit?

How much will you get?

You could get:

  • up to £2,790 a year, that is around £54 a week, if you are disabled
    up to £3,980 a year, that is around £77 a week, if you are severely disabled

The amount you get will depend on other income you have coming in, such as wages, interest on your savings and some benefits payments.

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How to claim

If you have been claiming benefits, such as Income Support, Employment and Support Allowance, or Jobseeker's Allowance, you'll get help with your claim. Your Jobcentre Plus - or in Northern Ireland, your Social Security office - will help you with your tax credits claim form.

Or you can order a tax credits claim pack from the Tax Credit Helpline. You can fill the form in yourself and send it back by post. If you need any help completing the form you can call the Tax Credit Helpline who will be happy to provide further advice.

You can't claim tax credits online.

How to claim tax credits

Contact details for the Tax Credit Helpline

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More useful links

Which state benefits to report when making a tax credits claim

Other help you might qualify for if you get tax credits

How to work out usual working hours for your tax credits claim