HC Deb 16 June 2003 vol 407 cc40-1W
Mr. Martlew

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to advertise(a) the changes in the system for claiming for housing and council tax benefit, (b) the loss of the automatic right to help with health costs and (c) the loss of the automatic right to milk tokens following the changes in the child tax credit; and if he will make a statement. [118554]

Dawn Primarolo

The introduction of the child tax credit has caused no changes in the rules for claiming housing or council tax benefits. As before, these benefits are adjusted to take into account tax credit income. Families on income support or income based jobseeker's allowance who are also in receipt of housing and council tax benefit have been notified about the introduction of tax credits. If they require any information or require help with their tax credit claim, they can go to their local Jobcentre Plus Office.

Low income families will remain entitled to help with health costs and milk tokens while they receive child tax credit. The Inland Revenue has published a leaflet, "WT6—Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit—Other Types of Help You May Be Able To Get", which explains how the tax credits can help families receive other benefits such as having health costs met and getting milk tokens. The leaflet is available from Inland Revenue Offices and Enquiry Centres and online at the Inland Revenue website.

Ms Atherton

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what provisions he plans to ensure that working tax credit continues to be paid without interruption to the father of dependent children when his wife dies. [118985]

Dawn Primarolo

The father should contact the Inland Revenue to bring to an end the tax credit award made to him and his wife and make a fresh claim for tax credits in his name alone. In these circumstances, the Revenue will do everything it can to see that the new award is set up as quickly and smoothly as possible.

To be eligible to continue to receive Working Tax Credit, the father will need to be in work for at least 16 hours a week. As a lone parent, he can claim the lone parent element of Working Tax Credit. In addition, the father could receive help with the costs of registered or approved childcare. He should also claim Child Tax Credit and Child Benefit registered or approved childcare. He should also claim Child Tax Credit and Child Benefit.