How to update your tax credit claim
Backdate a claim
When you make a claim, your tax credits are usually backdated automatically by up to 31 days. You do not have to do anything.
If you’re claiming other benefits
You have to ask for your tax credits to be backdated if you get:
- Income Support
- Jobseeker’s Allowance (income-based)
- Employment and Support Allowance (income-related)
- Pension Credit
You might not get the full backdated claim if you stopped getting one of these benefits in the last 31 days and you’re claiming both Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit.
Backdating by more than 31 days
Tax credit claims can sometimes be backdated by more than 31 days if you:
- apply within a month of getting refugee status
- apply within 31 days of qualifying for certain sickness or disability benefits, such as Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment
Do not apply to backdate these claims until you’ve been given a decision on your refugee status or disability benefits.
You should still apply for other tax credits if you already qualify for them, for example if you have children.
How to backdate a claim
If you’re claiming over the phone, call HM Revenue and Customs to ask them to backdate your claim.
If you’re using claim form, include a page confirming:
- your name, address and National Insurance number
- the date you started work
- the date you started getting one of the benefits listed, if you’re not in work
- the date you got a decision on your refugee status or disability benefits - if you’re applying to backdate by more than 31 days