Two of the main improvements are:
                The relaxation of the qualifying benefit test and
                The introduction of a Fast Track Gateway  

To be eligible for DPTC you must be getting, at the date of your   application, either

Disability Living Allowance

Attendance Allowance

War Disablement Pension which includes Constant Attendance Allowance for you or a mobility supplement for you

Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit which includes Constant Attendance Allowance for you

An invalid carriage or any other vehicle provided under the invalid vehicle scheme, or

One of the range of incapacity benefits at Any time in the 182 days before your DPTC application

From October 2000 a new Fast Track Gateway will offer an alternative route to DPTC.

This will help people who become sick or disabled while they are working to remain in work. People will be able to apply via this route if they

Have received Statutory Sick Pay (or equivalent) for 20 weeks.

Have passed a disability test

Have provided evidence from a doctor that the illness or disability will last a further six months and

Will, on returning to work, be receiving earnings at least 20% less than they would have they not have the illness or disability

For help with DPTC ring: FREEPHONE

0800 597 5976

or Minicom line 0800 028 689 6

For more general advice and information about your application, phone the Tax Credit

Helpline on 0845 605 5858 or textphone 0845 608 8844.

In Northern Ireland, the Tax Credit Helpline is 0845 609 7000 or textphone:
0845 607 6078
Also leaflet DPTC/BK1-Your guide to Disabled Person’s Tax Credit

How do I know if I can apply

To apply you need to meet just four basic conditions:

Work at least 16 hours

Have one of a range of incapacity or disability benefits (as listed in eligibility) or have been receiving certain benefits in the 182 days prior to your application (this is more generous than DWA, where the limit was 56 days)

Have savings of £1600 or less, and

Be resident in the United Kingdom

It depends on your personal circumstances, what you may be eligible to is:

A basic tax credit of £54.30 for a single person or £83.55 for a couple or lone parent

An extra 30-hour tax credit of £11.05 (where the applicant or partner works at least 30 hours per week)

A tax credit for each child in the family, with different rates according to the child’s age

               £19.85 from birth

               £20.90 from September following 11th birthday

An extra disabled child’s tax credit of £21.90 for each child who gets Disability Living Allowance or is registered blind or has been registered blind in the last 28 weeks

A childcare tax credit worth up to 70% of eligible childcare costs up to a maximum cost of £100 per week for families who pay for childcare for one child and £150 for families who pay for childcare for two or more children.

You cannot get paid DWA and DPTC at the same time. So, if you are already getting DWA from October 1999, you will have to wait until the award has ended before you can apply for DPTC. You should be sent an application for DPTC about a month before your DWA is due to run out.

DPTC is administered by staff at the Inland Revenue’s Tax Credit Offices in Preston and Belfast. All applications and correspondence about DPTC go to these offices.

If you think you qualify for DPTC use the telephone numbers given in Further information.

Applications are made by post on form DPTC1, which is included in the DPTC application pack. You can get a application pack by phoning the Tax Credit Hotline 0845 605 5858 or textphone 0845 608 8844. In Northern Ireland call 0845 609 7000 0r textphone 0845 607 6078.

You can also get an application pack from Inland Revenue Enquiry Centres, Benefits Agency an Social Security offices and Employment Service Jobcentres.

Addresses
England, Scotland and Wales                       Northern Ireland
Tax Credit Office                                           Tax Credit Office
Inland Revenue                                             Inland Revenue
PO Box 178                                                   Dorchester House
Preston                                                          Great Victoria Street
PR1 0GQ                                                       BT2 7WF