Working Tax Credit - Can I get Working Tax Credit?

Working Tax Credit and Universal Credit

Working Tax Credit is being replaced by Universal Credit. You will only able to get Working Tax Credit in the situations listed below. Otherwise, you won't be able to make a new claim for tax credits.

Use our Benefits Calculator to see what benefits you might be able to get. 

The government is starting to move people off tax credits and onto Universal Credit, even if nothing changes. You will get a letter telling you your old benefits are ending and you need to claim Universal Credit. If you've received this letter, read our guide Universal Credit Migration Notice to find out about your next steps. By March 2025, the government wants to have moved everyone over to Universal Credit. 

If you would be better off on Universal Credit, you can move over anytime.

If you would not be better off on Universal Credit, it would be better to wait until you are invited to move over. This is because people who are invited to move over get extra protection to make sure they aren't worse off.

You can check if you'd be better off using the benefit calculator. 

Can I get Working Tax Credit?

You can only get Working Tax Credit if you are getting tax credits (Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit) at present.

In addition:

You and/or your partner must work full time, though this means a different number of hours per week for different people:

• Unless you satisfy any of the special conditions below, you will need to be over 25 years old and will need to work at least 30 hours per week
• If you are single and are responsible for a child or qualifying young person , you will need to be over 16 years old and will need to work at least 16 hours per week.
• If you live with a partner who gets Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Personal Independence Allowance (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Adult Disability Payment or Attendance Allowance and you are responsible for a child or qualifying young person , you will need to be over 16 years old and will need to work at least 16 hours per week.
• If you live with a partner who gets Carer’s Allowance or who is in hospital or in prison, and you are responsible for a child or qualifying young person , you will need to be over 16 years old and will need to work at least 16 hours per week.
• If you have a disability which means you can get a disability element - working tax credit , you will need to be over 16 years old and will need to work at least 16 hours per week
• If you are over 60 years old, you will have to work at least 16 hours per week.

Working hours guide

If your hours are not the same every week or you need help to calculate how many hours you work, see our Working hours guide.

What happens to my Working Tax Credit if I start a new relationship?

If you claimed tax credits as a single person and you later have a partner who joins your household, you will have to close down your single claim for tax credits. You won’t be able to make a new claim for tax credits. If you still want the help tax credits were providing, you will need to get it through Universal Credit. 

What happens to my Working Tax Credit if I separate from my partner?

If you made a joint claim for tax credits as a couple and you later separate, you will have to close down your joint claim for tax credits. You won’t be able to make a new claim for tax credits. If you still want the help tax credits were providing, you will need to get it through Universal Credit.