About this study
This is a major study of the tax credit and Child Benefit system.
We are asking people what it is really like to receive tax credits and Child Benefit and how it affects their lives.
The study started in 2008, when we interviewed 3,400 tax credits recipients throughout the UK. In 2009 we are returning to the same people. In addition to this, in 2009 we are contacting about a thousand families that receive Child Benefit.
Our findings will be used to help improve people's experiences of claiming tax credits and Child Benefit.
How we are working
The study has been commissioned by HM Revenue & Customs – the government department that is responsible for both of these important social policy measures.
Potential policy impact
The findings from this study will be used to make improvements to the delivery of tax credit and Child Benefit by:
- identifying the intended outcomes of tax credits and Child Benefit
- identifying problems
- monitoring the performance of the tax credit and Child Benefit systems
- testing new approaches to delivering services.
Method
We are conducting a panel study that will follow the same tax credit and Child Benefit recipients over three years. Respondents are interviewed face to face every year and some respondents are also asked to take part in telephone interviews in between the face to face interviews.