If your circumstances change
[ch 5: pages 69-70]Your Tax Credits can go up or down if your family or work life change. You must report these changes to the Tax Credit Office. For example, if your child leaves home or your income changes.
Eligibility depends on:
• the child’s age;
• if you’re responsible for the child.
To qualify the child must be:
• under 16 — you can claim up until 31 August after their 16th birthday;
• under 20 — if they are in eligible education or training.
You are usually responsible for a child if they:
• live with you all the time;
• they normally live with you and you are the main carer;
• they keep their toys and clothes at your home;
• you pay for their meals and give them pocket money;
• they live elsewhere in Europe but are financially dependent on you.