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Debt Advice Handbook Scotland 1st ed - with new material

Working tax credit
Note: WTC is affected by the introduction of UC (see here). It is no longer possible to make a new claim for WTC unless already entitled to CTC or making a renewal claim. It is not possible to be entitled to WTC and UC at the same time. A claim for UC causes WTC to be terminated.
WTC is paid to a client who is, or whose partner is, in full-time paid work. The client must be:
    a lone parent with a dependent child and working at least 16 hours a week; or
    a member of a couple with a child, one partner who works at least 16 hours a week, and the other disabled, in hospital or in prison, or entitled to CA or CSP; or
    a member of a couple with a child. The couple must work 24 hours between them, with one partner working at least 16 hours a week. If only one partner works 24 hours, they will qualify; or
    disabled and work at least 16 hours a week; or
    aged 25 or over and work at least 30 hours a week; or
    aged 60 or over and work at least 16 hours a week.
WTC is claimed from and paid by HMRC. It is means tested, and counts as income for the purposes of means-tested benefits. It is claimed and assessed at the same time as CTC.
WTC is not taxable.