Both Child Tax and Working Tax credits have been replaced by Universal Credit for most people.
You can only make a new claim if you get the severe disability premium (SDP) within an income-based benefit or got it within the past month and still qualify for it. This is known as the SDP gateway.
If you are still able to claim child tax credits you can claim up until 31 August after their 16th birthday. You can claim until their 20th birthday, if the child is in approved education or training.
If you are still able to claim working tax credits the qualifying rules and how much you will be paid depends on the hours of paid work you do each week. It also depends on your income and circumstances.
If you are currently in receipt of working tax credits and/or child tax credits you will be migrated over to Universal Credit at some point in the near future. You will be sent a Managed Migration Notice in the post from the DWP and invited to make a claim.
Call the tax credit helpline on 0345 300 3900 for any queries relating to your current award of tax credits.
Contact the Managed Migration helpline on 0800 169 0328 if you have queries and have received your Migration Notice or find out more on the UK Government website.
Two-child limit
The two child limit,which was introduced in April 2017, limits the number of children that can be included in a tax credits or Universal Credit award. This is limited to a maximum of two (although there are some exceptions for multiple births and kinship care arrangements). The limit only applies to children born on or after April 2017 and it restricts the child element included in the award (i.e. the amount that can be included for each child within a Universal Credit or tax credit award).
This limit does not apply to Child Benefit.
It is also important to be aware that the two-child limit does not apply to the additional amount that can be included in your Universal Credit or tax credit award for a disabled child or young person. This means you can receive this extra element in your award for any number of disabled children included in your claim providing you are the main carer and the child or young person has a qualifying disability benefit in place, for example Child Disability Payment.
