Tax Credits

Tax credits have been replaced by Universal Credit for most people.

You can only make a new claim for tax credits if you:

get the severe disability premium (opens link in new window) or are entitled to it
got or were entitled to the severe disability premium in the last month, and you’re still eligible for it

If you cannot make a new claim for tax credits, you may be able to apply for universal credit.

With any award of Benefit you must report any changes of your circumstances as soon as they change.

Each year all benefits are subject to uprating in April, this means the amounts paid are increased. Please check Gov.uk

Call HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to make a new claim.

You’ll be asked for some information and given an estimate of how much you’ll get. You may be asked for:

HM Revenue and Customs

Telephone: 0345 300 3900
Textphone: 0345 300 3909

Outside UK: +44 2890 538 192

Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm
Saturday, 8am to 4pm
Closed Sunday

When you make a claim, your tax credits are usually backdated automatically by up to 31 days. You do not have to do anything.

If you're claiming other benefits

You have to ask for your tax credits to be backdated if you get:

If you’re claiming over the phone, call HM Revenue and Customs (opens link in new window) to ask them to backdate your claim.

If you’re using claim form, include a page confirming:

your name, address and National Insurance number
the date you started work
the date you started getting one of the benefits listed, if you’re not in work
the date you got a decision on your refugee status or disability benefits - if you’re applying to backdate by more than 31 days

Further information is available at Gov.uk (opens link in new window)

Last updated: 11/08/2020