Child Tax Credit is a payment for people with children to help with the cost of looking after them and you can receive the payment whether or not you are in work. The amount you receive will depend on your circumstances and income.
Tax credits are payments from the government straight into your bank account.
There are two types – Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit.
Child Tax Credit
Child Tax Credit is a payment for people with children to help with the cost of looking after them.
You can usually claim Child Tax Credit if you are responsible for any children under the age of 16. You can also receive it if your child is under 20 and in full time education or on an approved training course.
You can receive the payment whether or not you are in work. The amount you receive will depend on your circumstances and income.
Full details of Child Tax Credit, eleigibilty, what you will get and how to claim can be found at GOV.UK.
Alternatively guides to Child Tax Credit are available from
Apply for Child Tax Benefits
To apply for Child Tax Credits you must fill in “Form TC600”. This is the same form you use for applying for Working Tax Credits , so your eligibility for both benefits will be calculated from the information you give on this form.
You cannot download Form TC600 or order it online. In order to get Form TC600 sent to you, telephone the Tax Credit Helpline on 0345 300 3900 (or textphone 0345 300 3909).
Full contact details are available here.
Have your National Insurance number on you when you call – it will save a lot of time.
The Child Tax Credit application form requires a lot of information.
It is very complicated to work out how much money you might get. It is split into two parts – a family part (you will get extra for this if you have a baby under one) and an element for each child (up to a maximum amount for each child). There are extra amounts for children who are disabled.
Use the on-line calculator to get an estimate of how much you might be paid, available at GOV.UK
Renewing Your Tax Credits
You need to reclaim your Tax Credits once a year, normally by 31st July.
If you’re claiming tax credits, you’ll be sent a renewal pack. It will tell you how to renew your tax credits.
Payments may stop if you don't renew your tax credits by the end of July every year.
More information is available at the following links:
Benefit Cap
Child Tax Credit counts towards the Benefit Cap. If you’re affected, your Housing Benefit will go down to make sure that the total amount of benefit you get isn’t more than the cap level.
For details on the Benefit Cap follow this link.
Universal Credit
For a full explanation of Universal Credit follow this link.
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