The Working Tax Credit (WTC) is a United Kingdom state benefit that serves to help support individuals with a low income. The system was introduced in April 2003, and is aimed at anyone over the age of sixteen, reaching up to those below the age of seventy-five.

There are a series of criteria and requirements which the individual must meet in order to gain access to the Working Tax Credit (WTC). Specifically, those aged twenty-five and under must have a child or a qualifying disability, while those aged over twenty-five need not have a child. This means that households without children can also qualify for the credit.

In addition to this, the applicant must be employed and must work for a minimum number of hours required by the government each week. This differs dependent on the age of the individual. For sixteen to twenty-four year olds, the minimum number of hours required to qualify for the benefit is either sixteen, sixteen in a disabled role, or thirty hours in any role. The minimum number of hours required for those aged twenty-five and over is reduced to sixteen in any role.

Furthermore, applicants must also have been actively earning for six months prior for their application to be processed. This is considered a vital eligibility requirement and is crucial to the individual’s chance of claiming the benefit.

The Working Tax Credit (WTC) system, while invaluable in assisting lower-income earners, is unfortunately insufficient in preventing poverty across the country. Nonetheless, the current system is a great start and lays a strong foundation for future UK government measures and strategies which could be used to reduce the state of poverty in the UK.