Harry Cohen
MAKE SURE YOU CLAIM WHAT YOU DESERVE
Over the past few weeks I have been trying to ensure that everyone who is entitled to claim the new Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit, which are introduced in April, does so. I would particularly like to thank the schools in the constituency who are assisting in getting the information about the Child Tax Credit to parents.
The Child Tax Credit and the Working Tax Credit replace the existing tax credits – Working Families Tax Credit, Children’s Tax Credit and Childcare Tax Credit. They extend the support to people who up to now have not qualified for extra help.
Child Tax Credit, for example, is not dependent on being in paid work. Student nurses and students will qualify for the first time and because the Working Tax Credit is not dependent on having children more low-paid people in work will get extra help.
Most families with an income of £50,000 a year or less will be guaranteed through the Child Tax Credit, with child benefit, at least £26.50 per week for the first child. The Working Tax Credit will guarantee a minimum income of £237 a week for a family with one child and one full time earner on the minimum wage.
The new system is being introduced to make things more streamlined and easier to understand as well as allowing more people to benefit. However, new systems no matter how they improve schemes need to be well publicised to avoid any confusions that might arise. That is why you may well have seen the new credits advertised on the television under the slogan : Money with your name on it.
That is absolutely true but working people and families will need to apply for the new tax credits. If you were already receiving an existing credit you should have automatically received a claim form. If you have not you need to get one. If you have not returned your form you should do so today. Those people who may now qualify must also claim.
You can claim by phoning the Inland Revenue helpline on 0845 300 3900 or online www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/menus/credits.htm or contact my constituency office. Don’t lose out on your entitlement get those claims registered before April.
You can contact Helen Jones MP: by letter to Gilbert Wakefield House, 67 Bewsey Street, Warrington WA2 7JQ or to House of Commons, Westminster, London SW1A 0AA - by phone 01925 232 480 - by fax on 01925 232 239 - by e-mail jonesh@parliament.uk
