child tax credits and income support

[thingummyjig]

can you claim ctc whilst claiming income support or jobseekers allowance?

[puddicat]

Wouldnt think so,you have to have a job to claim tax credits!!!!

[ummmm]

Yes you can. If you're not working you get income support for yourself and child tax credits for the kids.

If you work over 16 hours a week you get working tax credits plus child tax credits.

[sheribee]

hi, yes, you cannot claim wftc tho.
If you have school age children then you will also be entitled to free school meals for them x

[puddicat]

Surely when you claim income support its for you whole family,why would you need tax credits for children,its not like you are putting your children in childcare as you are not working this is so confusing!!!

[ummmm]

It's changed since tax credits were introduced. For example, if neither parents were working they would receive income support or job seekers allowance for themselves. For the children the main carer would receive the CTC. I presume to stop one party spending the benefits in the pub before the kids have been fed.

[truffles]

CTC is for the kids regardless of if you are working, Working Tax Credits are for when you work over 16 hours a week, all new claims to Income Support and Job seekers with kids also receive CTC from the Inland Revenue, Some old Income support claims and JSA are still paying for children. If your on Income Support and you claim CTC you need to tell Income Support.

[gbradfield]

you can claim ctc but you will have to declare it to the social as its counted as an extra income