Check if you can get child tax credits

Universal Credit has replaced tax credits for most people.

If you already get Working Tax Credits, you can still add Child Tax Credits to your claim.

If you made a claim for Child Tax Credits in the last tax year, you might be able to make a new claim. You should talk to an adviser to find out if you can.

If you’ve been told to claim Universal Credit by a certain date

The Department for Work and Pensions are stopping some people’s benefits and telling them to claim Universal Credit instead.

If you get a letter telling you to claim Universal Credit by a certain deadline, this is a ‘migration notice’. You should claim Universal Credit by the deadline in the migration notice. Your old benefits will stop after the deadline.

You might miss out on some money if you apply after the deadline. 

Check what you should do if you get a migration notice.

If you’ve reached your State Pension age, you can’t make a new claim for Child Tax Credits. You should check if you can get Pension Credit. If you get Pension Credit, you’ll receive extra payment for each child you’re responsible for.

You can check your State Pension age on GOV.UK.

You can usually get Child Tax Credits for each child or young person you’re responsible for until the 31 August after they turn 16.

The amount of money you get depends on:

• how many children you have

• when they were born

• whether you already get child tax credits

The child you’re responsible for will need to be either under 16 or between 16 and 20 and in full-time approved education or training.

A 16-year old who’s not in approved education or training is considered a young person until the 31 August after they turn 16 unless:

• they work 24 or more hours a week

• they’re entitled to Universal Credit, income-based Jobseekers’ Allowance, Income Support, income-related Employment and Support Allowance

You can get an extra amount of tax credits for your child if they are disabled - it doesn't matter when they were born.

Work out how many children you can claim tax credits for

If your children were all born before 6 April 2017, you can claim child tax credits for each child.

If your first or second child was born on or after 6 April 2017, you can claim child tax credits for them.

If your third child or any later child was born on or after 6 April 2017, you can't usually get child tax credits for them. You should still let HMRC know about them. If they're disabled, you might still get a payment if one of these applies:

• they get Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

• they get Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

• they get Child Disability Payment

• they get Adult Disability Payment

• they're certified blind

There are some exceptions - you might still get a payment for 3 or more children if:

• you have a multiple birth - if you have other children born before 6 April 2017 you won't get a payment for the first child in a multiple birth

• you’ve adopted a child from the UK (unless you were the child's step-parent immediately before adopting them)

• you’re caring for someone else's child in a formal care arrangement

• you’re caring for someone else’s child in an informal arrangement where otherwise they’d be in care

• you have a child from a pregnancy that was from rape or a controlling relationship - find out how to report this and get help if you need it

• you’re responsible for a child under 16 who has their own child and they both live with you

Check the exceptions and how to apply for them on GOV.UK.

Example

Philip has 3 children who were all born before 6 April 2017. He gets child tax credits for all of them. He'll keep getting the same amount because they were all born before 6 April 2017.

Example

Yasmin has 2 children who were both born before 6 April 2017 and she gets child tax credits for both of them. She's expecting another baby, due after 6 April 2017. She won't get child tax credits for her baby because it's her third child.

Example

Jane gets tax credits for 1 child who was born before 6 April 2017. She’s expecting twins due after 6 April 2017. She’ll get child tax credits for both of them when they’re born.

Who counts as responsible for a child or young person

You’re responsible for a child if they either:

• live with you all the time

• usually live with you and you’re their main carer

If you share responsibility for a child, for example if you and your partner are separated, only one of you can claim child tax credits. This should be the person who is mainly responsible for the child.

If one parent spends more on childcare, this doesn’t necessarily mean they’re mainly responsible. The person who looks after the child most of the time should claim.

Contact your nearest Citizens Advice

 if you can’t decide who should claim tax credits - an adviser can help you decide.

Checking you’re below the income limit

You don’t need to be working to claim child tax credits, but if you are you need to earn less than a certain amount.

The amount you can earn depends on your circumstances. HMRC looks at things like:

• the number of hours you work

• how many children you have

• if you’re a single parent

If you're 18 or over, you can use the Turn2us benefits calculator to check if you can get child tax credits.

If you’re part of a couple

If you’re in a couple, you’ll need to make a joint claim with your partner. You’re counted as a couple if you’re married or in a civil partnership, or if you live together.

If you’re temporarily separated, but still legally married, you’ll need to make a joint claim. HMRC treats you as a couple unless you’re either:

• divorced

• legally separated under a court order

• permanently separated - ie you don’t plan to get back together

Check if you can get other benefits

If you can get child tax credits you might also be able to get other benefits. If you're 18 or over, you can use the Turn2Us benefits calculator to check which benefits you can get.

Next steps

Child tax credits - how much you can get

How to claim working and child tax credits