Why tax credit payments can change

If you are claiming tax credits make sure that you keep an eye on changes that may affect the amount you receive.

Your payments can go up if:

• your income goes down by more than £2,500
• your benefits stop or go down
• you start getting personal independence payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or other disability benefits for yourself or a child
• you have a child
• your childcare costs go up

You should report these changes within 1 month to make sure you get everything you’re entitled to. Payments can’t usually be backdated any further than this.

Your payments can go down or stop if:

• your income goes up by more than £2,500 – report this straight away to reduce the amount you’re overpaid
• you haven’t renewed your claim
• your award notice shows you’ve been overpaid
• you stop getting PIP, DLA or other disability benefits for yourself or a child
• your child is now 16, 18 or 19 and you haven’t told the Tax Credit Office they’re in approved education or training
• your childcare costs go down
• you or your partner start claiming Universal Credit