Child Tax Credit
Key information
Child Tax Credit is money paid to parents or other
people who are responsible for bringing up a
child.
Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland and
Northern Ireland
Age rules: You can get Child Tax Credit if you
are 16 or over.
If you are under 16 your parents or someone who is responsible
for you could include you and your child in their own
claim.
Type of benefit: Means
tested
Taxable: No
Administered by: HM
Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
N.B. If you already claim tax credits, you need to renew them
before 31 July each year or your payments may stop.
See the HM Revenue and Customs website for more
information (link opens in a new window).
Index
You can read through this information sheet, or go directly to
the sections you want to read by clicking on these links:
Who does it help?
You can get Child Tax Credit if:
- you are 16 or over, and
- you are responsible for at least one child.
The child must be:
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What help does it provide?
Child Tax Credit is money you can spend on what you want. It is
usually paid into the bank or building society account of the
child's main carer. You can be paid at a post office in some
cases.
Child Tax Credit does not include any help with the costs of
childcare. However, if you are working and you are on a low income,
you may be entitled to Working Tax
Credit and this benefit can include some help with childcare costs.
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How much does it pay?
It is very complicated to work out how much Child Tax
Credit you might get. A maximum amount is made up
of different parts based on your personal
circumstances, for example:
- A family element - for each family
- A child element - for each child
- Disability elements - for children who are
disabled
This amount is then compared to your annual income.
Savings do not affect your claim but interest from savings is
included in your income.
The Turn2us Benefits Checker can calculate
how much Child Tax Credit you may be entitled to.
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How do I make a claim?
Get a claim form by phoning HM Revenue and Customs Tax Credits
Helpline:
Telephone: 0345 300 3900
Textphone: 0345 300 3909
You have to renew your claim every year. If you do not
renew it, your Child Tax Credit will stop.
Assisted Claims Service for foster carers
An assisted claims service for
foster carers who wish to claim Tax Credits has been launched by HM
Revenue and Customs.
Read more about about this
service
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What documents do I need?
You must give your national insurance number and evidence of who
you are, for example, a birth certificate or driving licence as
well as proof of your annual income, for example, bank statements
or pay slips. You will normally also have to give the national
insurance number of your partner if they live with you.
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Can it be backdated?
Child Tax Credit can be backdated for up to one
month if you would have been entitled to it earlier. It does
not matter why your claim is late. Request this when claiming.
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Challenging decisions
If you disagree with the decision made on your claim you can ask
for it to be looked at again, and/or appeal.
The time limits are strict, you will usually be given one
month to dispute a decision, so it is important to seek advice and
act quickly.
Further information on Challenges and
complaints
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Change of circumstance
Child Tax Credit is paid on a year by year
basis but it is very important to tell HM Revenue and Customs (link
opens in a new window) about changes in your life during
the year which could affect the money you get. You must tell
them about some changes within one month.
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Further help
For more help, you can phone the Tax Credit helpline on:
0345 300 3900.
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Changes to Tax Credits April 2012
Changes were made to the rules around Tax Credits in April
2012. Please see Summary of Tax Credit
changes for more information.
This information has been produced by Citizens
Advice.
Last updated: 25 June 2012
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