Haven't really got anything to add to Helen's excellent advice, but main thing is to get SSMG claim in within first 3 months. DWP will either defer decision until client gets CTC award, or she can claim again at this stage depends on the office.
As Helen says, they may need to get the award revised based on current tax year income in order for the CTC award to be high enough. But this can be difficult if client doesn't know when/if she is going back to work, or how many hours she is going to do.
Another possibility, which we at Working Families THINK is viable, is to put the initial claim in within 3 months, then if CTC is not high enough, but will be based on current year income, wait until the tax credit award is finalised (ie after end of this tax year), and then claim again.
Which option to pursue really depends on family circumstances, how urgently the money is needed and how predictable current year income is. Rachel
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