Working tax credits

[Shaun_G]

Hello all, I'm new here and I'm seeking help.

I recently at the end of November applied for working tax credits, this was a joint application for my Thai wife and I.

My questions are;

How long does it take to process a working tax credit application?

Will it take considerable longer because my wife is Thai?

On the tax credits website it states it takes 3 weeks to process, so far ours has taken over 7 weeks. I keep calling the tax credits help line and they say the same thing every week "Your application is being processed and we don't need any further information from you".

If any anyone can give me some information from their own experiences it would be most appreciated, thank you.

[John]

How long does it take to process a working tax credit application?

You already know what the website says. Most claims are dealt with in considerably less than 7 weeks.

Will it take considerable longer because my wife is Thai?

Well not because she is Thai, but possibly because HMRC did not know about her before? Is that the case? Does your wife have a NI number? When did your wife first arrive in the UK?

If I were you I would wait until early February and if the claim has still not been decided in your favour, I would think about contacting your MP, and ask him/her to chase the Tax Credits office.

[Shaun_G]

Thanks John for your reply. She first arrived 3 years ago to study English and then a Master degree. Yes she does have a NI number and for the past 4 to 5 months she has worked as self employed.

That's a good idea of yours to contact my local MP, I will give it another week or two first.

Thanks again.

[John]

In that case I am very surprised it is taking so long. If I were you I would be contacting my MP on 1st February, if you have still not heard by then.

[tangmo]

am i right in thinking my son can claim working tax credit although his wife has no recourse to public funds, his firm not many orders for a few weeks now and he is back on his flat wage.
thanks in advance

[John]

tangmo, not quite right. In fact, in respect of a couple living together, it is essential that the claim is made in joint names. For just one of a couple to claim could amount to benefit fraud.

His wife's visa with its "No recourse to Public Funds" condition? In fact, as described numerous times on this forum, her being a joint claimant for Tax Credits will not amount to her claiming Public Funds. The definition of Public Funds, as in para 6 of the Immigration Rules, is effectively varied by the small paras that follow para 6, namely paras 6A to 6C. In fact it is para 6B that is in play here.

[tangmo]

thanks john just got back to this thread, sorry for the confusion, yes they will make a joint claim, now i understand it won't have any bearing on her no recourse to public funds as it's her husband who is working correct.

[John]

Well yes and no! It is not Public Funds because in their circumstances the Tax Credits are not within the definition of Public Funds.

However this is not because it is the husband that is working. The answer would be actually the same if the husband was a house-husband, and it was the wife going out to work.