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Many people who are entitled to a cash increase in their income are missing out simply because they assume they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit (WTC).

HMRC have set up an online calculator enabling anyone who thinks they might be eligible for WTC to quickly find out for sure whether they are likely to be entitled - and by how much.

The average amount of WTC unclaimed is £1,600 a year so some people will qualify for significantly more.

Working Tax Credit is payable to people who are in work and on a low income, and you don’t have to have children to qualify.

Many people who fail to claim are:

• in the 50-plus age group,
• have experienced a fall in income.

The Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Stephen Timms, said:

“Tax credits are already benefiting hundreds of thousands of families without children. We recognise that these are challenging times and Working Tax Credits are there to help.

“I would urge anyone who thinks they might be entitled to this money to go on-line and find out for sure.”

Anyone with queries about tax credits can check online at www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits or, to make a claim, call the Helpline on 0845 302 1415.

If you don’t have children, you can claim WTC if:

• you are aged 25 or over and work at least 30 hours a week;
• you are single, and earn up to around £13,000 a year. If you’re living with a partner, you could claim if together you earn up to just under £18,000 a year;
• you are disabled or over 50 and returning to work; you may also qualify even if your circumstances are different.