Tax credits and benefits

Introduction to tax credits and benefits

⚠️ Please note that sometimes links from this website will go directly to our main Low Incomes Tax Reform Group’s (LITRG) website.

There are two tax credits – child tax credit and working tax credit. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) administer and pay tax credits.

Universal credit (UC) is the Government’s new system of support that is gradually replacing 6 working-age benefits (the ‘legacy benefits’). These are working tax credit; child tax credit; income support; income-based jobseekers’ allowance, income-related employment and support allowance and housing benefit. Now that UC is available across the UK, most people can no longer make a brand new claim for tax credits.

Generally, as a student you cannot claim UC as there are other means of financial support designed for students. However, there are some key exceptions to this rule which allow some students to claim UC.

If you are studying full-time at non-advanced level or you are on a traineeship or similar and you are aged between 16 and 19, you may be classed as a qualifying young person and be included in someone else’s claim for UC.

You can find more information about the specific rules for students and universal credit on GOV.UK.

Below, we have included links to our main LITRG website where we provide information about tax credits and benefits aimed at helping you navigate the often complicated system of support available and some additional links to more detailed guidance.

Tax credits

• What are tax credits?
• Who can claim tax credits?
• What is working tax credit?
• Disability and tax credits?
• What is child tax credit?
• 2 child limit policy
• Can I claim for my child aged 16 or over?
• How do I calculate tax credits?
• How do I claim tax credits?
• Can I backdate my claim to tax credits?
• What counts as income for tax credits?
• What income will be used to calculate my claim?
• How are tax credits paid?
• How do I renew my tax credits claim?
• What changes do I need to report?
• How do I appeal a tax credits decision?
• What can I do if I have an underpayment?
• What can I do if I have an overpayment?
• What if my claim is checked by HMRC?
• How do I complain about tax credits?
• How do I contact HMRC about tax credits?
• How will universal credit affect tax credits?
• Universal credit and stopping tax credits

The following two pages may be of particular interest to students:

• Tax credits and students – this covers when you may be able to claim tax credits while studying, working part-time or on an apprenticeship.
• Can I claim for my child aged 16 or over? – this page on our LITRG website provides information on when you can claim child tax credit after your child leaves school.

Our main LITRG website also has detailed information on:

• Universal credit
• State benefits 
• Child benefit (this section also covers the tax charge for those on higher incomes)
• Help towards the costs of childcare

Where can I get more information?

The detail around how tax credits work can get complex. More information about all aspects of tax credits and child benefit, including dealing with HMRC about tax credits and child benefit is available on our specialist website for advisers: Revenuebenefits.

Information about tax credits, child benefit and state benefits can also be found on GOV.UK along with links to the tax credits manuals.