If you have a baby, you might be able to:
- get more money - if you are already claiming tax credits
- make a new tax credits claim - if you have not claimed tax credits before
You can only make a new claim for tax credits if you:
- get the severe disability premium, or are entitled to it
- got or were entitled to the severe disability premium in the last month, and you are still eligible for it
If you cannot make a new claim for tax credits, you might be able to apply for Universal Credit or Pension Credit.
What you can get
| What you may be entitled to: | |
|---|---|
| Child Tax Credit | Up to £3,325 per year |
| Tax Credits for Childcare while you work | Up to £122.50 per week (for one chilld), up to £210.00 per week (for two or more children) You will not get 100% of your childcare costs. |
| Working Tax Credit | Up to £1,960 per year |
Even though you have stopped work to have a baby you are entitled to get working tax credit for:
- the first 39 weeks of maternity (or adoption) leave
- your period of ordinary paternity leave
To qualify, you must have been working at least 16 or 30 hours a week before your leave. The actual number of hours depends on your circumstances.
Use the tax credit calculator to work out what you can get.
How to claim
You can:
- apply for tax credits - if you have not applied for tax credits before
- update your claim - if you have already applied for child or working tax credit
Update your claim by reporting a change in your circumstances online or by phone.
When to claim
Tell HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) within one month of the birth so your claim can be backdated to the date of birth. If you do not, your tax credits will only be backdated by one month from the date of your claim.
Example
Your baby is born 1 September.
You tell HMRC on 1 January so your tax credits get backdated to 1 December.
If you had told them by 1 October you would be getting tax credits from 1 September.