We all like a tax cut, except of course when it means a public service we rely on gets cut back but even then we usually expect the Government to cut a different service that is less important to ourselves.

The problem is that tax cuts tend to help everyone, even those less in need of help, and if you don’t pay tax in the first place then a tax cut is of no benefit whatsoever. Tax credits on the other hand can be targeted at those who need help most. They are a great way of targeting help to people on low incomes or older people who are relying on limited pensions.

The problem is that people have to claim them and too many people don’t. Another problem is that sometimes people give the wrong information or forget to inform the authorities of changing circumstances at the right time and sometimes the people who calculate your tax credits get their sums wrong.

My office has had to try to deal with hundreds of cases where tax credits have been calculated wrongly for one reason or another. Tax Credit staff are working hard to make the system better but, in the meantime, we are here to help if you are having problems so, if you live in South Thanet, don’t be afraid to give me a call on 01843 852696.

But what about people who don’t claim in the first place?

Too many older people don’t claim because they don’t know they might be eligible. For example, you can claim even if you are living with your grown up family because it is your income and savings that are taken into account not theirs. And did you know that you can now apply for Pension Credit and claim Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit at the same time? Just call freephone 0800 99 1234.

But there are also working people that don’t claim and from last week the threshold for claiming was raised so there are many more people who are on low incomes that are now eligible.

Workers without children now qualify for Working Tax Credit if they are over 25 years old, work at least 30 hours a week and are on an income below £245 a week if single or £330 a week if in a couple. And workers with children can now claim if one parent works for at least 16 hours a week and the household income is less than £438 a week if you have one child, £541 a week if you have two children or £644 a week if you have three children. So if you qualify get on the phone to 0845 300 3900 now.

Tax credits are far from perfect but they are the only affordable way anyone has come up with of helping people on low incomes. So, if you might be eligible, make a call and find out. There might be money waiting with your name on it.