Under plans due to come into effect in April, couples will need to increase their working hours from 16 to 24 a week to continue to be eligible for Working Tax Credits, or face a losing up to £74 a week.
But changes announced in today’s budget will mean that that a couple will continue to receive Working Tax Credits so long as one partner works 16 hours a week and the other is entitled to Carer’s Allowance.
The Government has also amended the rules on support for childcare costs, so that from April childcare costs can be included in a tax credit claim where one partner works 16 hours a week and their partner is entitled to carer’s allowance.
Srabani Sen, chief executive of Contact a Family, which has campaigned against the proposed changes for families with disabled children, said, ‘We are delighted the Government has seen sense on this issue.
‘As well as the obvious challenges with the economic situation and high unemployment, many working couples with a disabled child have less scope to be able to work extra hours than other parents due to their substantial caring responsibilities.
‘The concession will ensure that hard working families, working in paid employment and caring for a disabled child at home, won’t be worse off.’