§ Jeff EnnisTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average length of time is which it takes for a new applicant to receive Working Families Tax Credit; and how much back-dating of Working Families Tax Credit is allowable. [92892]
§ Dawn PrimaroloSpecific figures are not available giving average UK processing times for new Working Families Tax Credit applications. But the Inland Revenue aims to decide 91 per cent. of all Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC) applications within 30 days of receiving them, and for the period from 1 April 2002 to 31 December 2002, the Inland Revenue assessed 97 per cent. of all WFTC applications within 30 days of receipt.
Entitlement to Working Families Tax Credit is generally based on a family's circumstances at the date they make their application. Where a late application is made, there are prescribed circumstances in which backdating of up to a maximum of three months may be allowed.