iVillagers discuss the tax credit system and offer advice and information to each other on eligibility and how to claim.

Q: I am 19 and have been out of work for over a year. I had a baby four months ago and have not claimed any benefits so far. I am living with my partner who earns £21,000 before tax, so can someone tell me if there is anything I can claim apart from Child Benefit.
emmahunter

A: It doesn't look like you will be able to get any help from benefits, but you may be eligible to claim Child Tax Credit, which is awarded to you if you have dependent children. If you are the carer, and your husband the provider, he will get a tax 'refund' from his salary, which will be paid to you directly. If you do want to talk to someone to see if you can get any more help, then go to your local Social Security office, the address will be in the phone book.
siren_xx

Q: I currently receive Child Tax Credit, and Working Tax Credit, which are paid to me as a single mum. I need my kids to be looked after during the day and have heard that you can get childcare subsidies with tax credit, is this true?
tigress2

A: It sounds like you should be eligible for the childcare element of working tax credits. If you are, the total amount that you receive will depend on your income. You must be working 16 hours or more per week to qualify, but the maximum subsidy you may receive is 70p for every pound spent on childcare, so it's worth applying for eligibility.
bluelady

Q: My husband is the only earner at present, and earns just over the amount you need to get any extra benefits. We do qualify for Child Tax Credit but not Working Families Tax Credit, and I do not understand why. Are we eligible for any other benefits?
vikkxen

A: If you haven't been working and paying National Insurance contributions, then it will be unlikely that you are eligible for any other benefit at the moment. Working tax credits are awarded to people who are employed or self-employed and work more than 30 hours a week (if over 25 years old). As a couple, you need to make a joint tax application to find out exactly what you are entitled to. For more info on tax credits, visit the Inland Revenue website.
rivven

Talk to other members about tax credits and other benefits on the Money Matters message board or check out the conversations taking place there now: