Can I get working tax credits if I work 30 hours?
What hours do you need to work to claim Working Tax Credit (if a new claim is possible)? If you are not responsible for children, you need to work the following hours to get Working Tax Credit: if you are aged 25 or over, you need to do paid work of at least 30 hours a week.
You can only claim tax credits if you work at least 16 hours a week and are either: responsible for a child under 16. eligible for the 'disability element'
If you claim Income Support or Jobseeker's Allowance you should normally either be not working or working on average less than 16 hours a week. Partners of people receiving Income Support/Jobseeker's Allowance are able to work for, on average, up to 24 hours a week, without their partner's entitlement being affected.
There's no set limit for income because it depends on your circumstances (and those of your partner). For example, £18,000 for a couple without children or £13,100 for a single person without children - but it can be higher if you have children, pay for approved childcare or one of you is disabled.
A single person needs to earn £25,500 a year to reach a minimum acceptable standard of living in April 2022. A couple with two children needs to earn £43,400 between them.
Working Tax Credit (WTC) – a means-tested payment for working people on low incomes. Child Tax Credit (CTC) – a means-tested payment for people with children.
30 Hour element of WTC
If both members work at least 30 hours, only one 30 hour element is included. The 30 hour element is also included if at least one of the claimants is responsible for a child or qualifying young person and the total number of hours which the couple work is at least 30.
If this is you, you'll definitely want to get all of the money you can. But if you're in work, can you still claim benefits? Yes, you certainly can claim some benefits – depending on how many hours you work in a week.
Your Universal Credit does not stop if you work more than 16 hours a week. Use a benefits calculator to see how increasing your hours or starting a new job could affect what you get. Most employers will report your earnings for you. You will normally only need to report monthly earnings if you're self-employed.
Working Tax Credit: What you'll get
Work hours rules
Working Tax Credit - What is Working Tax Credit?
What is the 30 hour element in Working Tax Credit?
30 Hour element of WTC
Single claimants who work at least 30 hours per week will have the 30 hour element included in their award. Similarly, if one member of a couple works at least 30 hours per week, the 30 hour element can be included. If both members work at least 30 hours, only one 30 hour element is included.
There is no specific number of hours that makes someone full or part-time, but a full-time worker will usually work 35 hours or more a week. Part-time workers should get the same treatment for: pay rates (including sick pay, maternity, paternity and adoption leave and pay)
Your normal hours will change for working tax credit. Depending on how your hours change you may get less working tax credit or you may no longer qualify for working tax credit. If you no longer qualify, you may get a four week run-on of working tax credit.
Working Tax Credit (WTC) – a means-tested payment for working people on low incomes. Child Tax Credit (CTC) – a means-tested payment for people with children.
All PAYE taxpayers are entitled to a tax credit known as the Employee Tax Credit (formerly known as the PAYE tax credit).
Working Tax Credit is being replaced by Universal Credit. You will only able to get Working Tax Credit in the situations listed below. Otherwise, you won't be able to make a new claim for tax credits. Use our Benefits Calculator to see what benefits you might be able to get.
If you work part-time and earn over a certain amount your employer will have to deduct tax and national insurance contributions from your salary in the same way as if you were working full-time. If you work part-time for more than one employer you will get a special tax code so that you are taxed at the correct rate.
Legally, your employer can't make you work more than 48 hours a week, including overtime. If they want you to work more than that, your employer has to ask you to opt out of the 48-hour limit. Find out more about the maximum weekly working time limit.
A part-time worker is someone who works fewer hours than a full-time worker. There's no specific number of hours that makes someone full or part-time, but a full-time worker will usually work 35 hours or more a week.