Working tax credit

Tax credits are payments made from the state to support those with children or in work but with a low income. They're paid via the tax office and anyone aged over 16 who normally lives in the UK can apply to get them. They are also known as working families tax credit.

There are two types of tax credits; working tax credit which is designed for people who earn low wages and child tax credit which is a payment for parents to provide support for the cost of raising children.

Changes introduced by the coalition government as part of the 2010 comprehensive spending review in October 2010 mean that a couple with children have to work 24 hours a week between them in order to be eligible for the working tax credit.
 

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