If you are claiming tax credits make sure that you keep an eye on changes that may affect the amount you receive.
Your payments can go up if:
- your income goes down by more than £2,500
- your benefits stop or go down
- you start getting personal independence payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or other disability benefits for yourself or a child
- you have a child
- your childcare costs go up
You should report these changes within 1 month to make sure you get everything you’re entitled to. Payments can’t usually be backdated any further than this.
Your payments can go down or stop if:
- your income goes up by more than £2,500 – report this straight away to reduce the amount you’re overpaid
- you haven’t renewed your claim
- your award notice shows you’ve been overpaid
- you stop getting PIP, DLA or other disability benefits for yourself or a child
- your child is now 16, 18 or 19 and you haven’t told the Tax Credit Office they’re in approved education or training
- your childcare costs go down
- you or your partner start claiming Universal Credit
