Child Tax Credit
1. Overview
You could get Child Tax Credit for each child you’re responsible for if they’re:
- under 16
- under 20 and in approved education or training
You don’t need to be working to claim Child Tax Credit.
You get money for each child that qualifies and Child Tax Credit won’t affect your Child Benefit.
How much you get depends on your circumstances - you can use the tax credit calculator to work this out.
Only 1 household can get Child Tax Credit for a child.
2. What you'll get
You could get a basic amount and extra (known as ‘elements’) on top of this.
How much you get depends on things like your income and circumstances (eg if your child is disabled).
The basic amount is up to £545 a year.
| Elements | Yearly amount |
|---|---|
| For each child | Up to £2,750 |
| For each disabled child | Up to £3,100 |
| For each severely disabled child | Up to £1,255 (on top of the disabled child payment) |
Use the tax credit calculator to work out how much you could get.
How you're paid
All benefits, pensions and allowances are paid into an account (eg a bank account) of the person mainly responsible for the child.
You’re paid from the date of your claim up to the end of the tax year (5 April).
Your income
Use the tax credit calculator to check if your income is too high for tax credits and work out what money you could get.
There’s no set limit for income because it depends on your circumstances (and those of your partner).
For example, it’s sometimes £26,000 for a 1 child family but can be higher if you pay for approved childcare or one of you is disabled.
If your circumstances change
Your tax credits can go up or down if your family or work life change - you must report these changes to the Tax Credit Office. For example, your child leaves home or your income changes.
The benefit cap limits the amount of benefit that most people aged 16 to 64 can get. Some individual benefits aren't affected, but it may affect the total amount of benefit you get.
3. Eligibility
Eligibility depends on:
- the child’s age
- if you’re responsible for the child
Use the tax credit questionnaire to check if you qualify.
The child’s age
To qualify the child must be:
- under 16 - you can claim up until the 31st August after their 16th birthday
- under 20 - if they're in approved education or training
Responsibility for a child
You’re usually responsible for a child if:
- they live with you all the time
- they normally live with you and you’re the main carer
- they keep their toys and clothes at your home
- you pay for their meals and give them pocket money
- they live in an EEA country or Switzerland but are financially dependent on you
Contact the Tax Credit Helpline if you’re not sure you’re responsible for the child.
If you share responsibility for a child and you can’t agree who should claim you can both apply. The Tax Credit Office will decide for you.
You can claim for an adopted or fostered child if you’re not getting money from your local council (Health and Social Services Board in Northern Ireland). If you do get money call the Tax Credit Helpline to find out if you can claim.
Tax Credit Helpline
Telephone: 0345 300 3900
Textphone: 0345 300 3909
Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm
Saturday, 8am to 4pm
Find out about call charges
If the child is disabled
You may get extra Child Tax Credits if:
- the child gets Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment
- the child is registered blind (or was within 28 weeks of your tax credits claim)
You still qualify if Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment stops because the child goes into hospital.
4. How to claim
If you’re new to tax credits, contact the Tax Credit Helpline for a claim form. It takes up to 2 weeks to arrive.
If you're already claiming tax credits you don’t need a claim form - just call the helpline to update your claim.
Tax Credit Helpline
Telephone: 0345 300 3900
Textphone: 0345 300 3909
Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm
Saturday, 8am to 4pm
Find out about call charges
What you need to know
Only one household can get Child Tax Credit for a child.
You can claim at any time of the year and apply for Child and Working Tax Credits on the same claim form.
It can take up to 5 weeks to process a new claim.
You have to renew your claim once a year.
To support your claim, keep records of your income, bills, payslips, benefits, tax credits, childcare and your child's education. Keep records for the current tax year and at least 2 years before that.