Working Tax Credit

Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

Who does it help?

picture of a family Working Tax Credit is money paid by HM Revenue and Customs to working people who are on a low income. It does not matter whether you are working for someone else or are self-employed. You do not need to have children to qualify but if you do have children, you can get extra money to help with childcare costs. Most families with children qualify for Working Tax Credit.

To get Working Tax Credit, you or your partner must work at least a certain number of hours a week:

if you are responsible for a child or you get disability benefit, you must work at least 16 hours and be over 16
if you are over 50, and you were getting certain benefits when you took your job, you must work at least 16 hours a week
otherwise, you must be 25 or over and work at least 30 hours a week.

Is it means-tested?

The money you have coming in affects how much Working Tax Credit you get. Savings do not affect your claim.

What help does the benefit provide?

Working Tax Credit comes in the form of cash that is usually paid into your bank or building society account. You can be paid at a post office in some cases.

Working Tax Credit is paid for a year but it is very important to let HM Revenue and Customs know about changes in your life that could affect the money you get.

How much does it pay?

Working Tax Credit is made up of different parts, based on your personal circumstances. For example, you get one part if you have a disability and another part if you are paying for childcare. The amount you get also depends on your annual income.

The Turn2us Benefits Checker can help you calculate your eligibility for Working Tax Credit.

How to claim

Claim on form TC600. To get the form, contact the Tax Credit helpline on: 0845 300 3900.

You may be able to get backdated Working Tax Credit, for up to 93 days. You do not have to give any reasons why you did not claim earlier.

You have to renew your claim every year. If you do not renew it, your Working Tax Credit will stop.

Documents you need

You must give your national insurance number and proof of who you are, for example, a birth certificate or driving licence. You must also give proof of your annual income, for example, bank statements or pay slips. You must normally also give the national insurance number of your partner if they live with you.

Further help

For more help, you can phone the Tax Credit helpline on: 0845 300 3900.

The Citizens Advice (link opens in a new window) website can give you more information about Working Tax Credit.

They produce useful fact sheets about Working Tax Credit (link opens in a new window) that you can download.

Directgov, the government website, has more information about Working Tax Credit (link opens in a new window) .

There is useful information from HM Revenue and Customs (link opens in a new window) on their website.

Find an adviser tool.

Turn2us - to access benefits & grants.