1. What is working tax credit
Working tax credit (WTC) helps supplement low wages. It is administered by HM Revenue and Customs. It is paid to people who are working (employed or self-employed) for at least 16 hours a week or, in some cases, 24 or 30 hours a week. Full-time and part-time students are eligible. You get a higher amount if you work 30 hours a week or have a disability. You can get childcare costs paid with WTC. The amount of WTC you get depends on your income in the tax year.
Note: you cannot usually make a new claim for WTC, as it is in the process of being replaced by universal credit. However, an exception applies if you get, or got in the past month (and continue to satisfy the rules for it), a severe disability premium (see
here) in your income support, income-based jobseeker’s allowance, income-related employment and support allowance or housing benefit. If you already get WTC you can add child tax credit to your award, and vice versa.