Child Tax Credit

You could get Child Tax Credit for each child you’re responsible for if they’re:

• under 16
• under 20 and in approved education or training

You don’t need to be working to claim Child Tax Credit.

You get money for each child that qualifies and Child Tax Credit won’t affect your Child Benefit.

How much you get depends on your circumstances – you can use the tax credit calculator to work this out.

Only 1 household can get Child Tax Credit for a child.

You could get a basic amount and extra (known as ‘elements’) on top of this.

How much you get depends on things like your income and circumstances (eg if your child is disabled).

The basic amount is up to £545 a year.

How you’re paid

All benefits, pensions and allowances are paid into an account (eg a bank account) of the person mainly responsible for the child.

You’re paid from the date of your claim up to the end of the tax year (5 April).

Your income

There’s no set limit for income because it depends on your circumstances (and those of your partner).

For example, it’s sometimes £26,000 for a 1 child family but can be higher if you pay for approved childcare or one of you is disabled.

If your circumstances change

Your tax credits can go up or down if your family or work life change – you must report these changes to the Tax Credit Office. For example, your child leaves home or your income changes.

The benefit cap puts a limit on the total amount of benefit that most people aged 16 to 64 can get. The benefit cap started to affect some local councils from 15 April 2013.

Eligibility depends on:

• the child’s age
• if you’re responsible for the child

The child’s age

To qualify the child must be:

• under 16 – you can claim up until the 31st August after their 16th birthday
• under 20 – if they’re in approved education or training

Responsibility for a child

You’re usually responsible for a child if they:

• live with you all the time
• they normally live with you and you’re the main carer
• they live in Europe but are financially dependent on you

Contact the Tax Credit Helpline if you’re not sure you’re responsible for the child.

Tax Credit Helpline
Telephone: 0345 300 3900
Textphone: 0345 300 3909
Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm
Saturday, 8am to 4pm

If the child is disabled

You may get extra Child Tax Credits if:

• the child gets Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment
• the child is registered blind (or was within 28 weeks of your tax credits claim)

You still qualify if Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment stops because the child goes into hospital.

If you’re new to tax credits, contact the Tax Credit Helpline for a claim form. It takes up to 2 weeks to arrive.

If you’re already claiming tax credits you don’t need a claim form – just call the helpline to update your claim.

Tax Credit Helpline
Telephone: 0345 300 3900
Textphone: 0345 300 3909
Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm
Saturday, 8am to 4pm

What you need to know

Only one household can get Child Tax Credit for a child.

You can claim at any time of the year and apply for Child and Working Tax Credits on the same claim form.

You have to renew your claim once a year.

To support your claim, keep records about your income, bills, payslips, benefits, tax credits, child care and your child’s education.

Other relevant links

Last updated: 15 April 2013