A new tax credit scheme for 25 to 60-year-olds is being introduced in April.

The changes by the Government mean Worthing residents receiving housing or council tax benefit must tell Worthing Borough Council as soon as they receive notification of their tax credit awards.

People who are getting working family tax credit, disabled person tax credit or childrens tax credit will qualify for tax credits, payable from April this year.

Many people who do not get any of the existing credits will also qualify.

Assistant borough treasurer Kevin Masters said: If you are getting housing or council tax benefit and you are awarded a tax credit, you must inform the council immediately.

If you do not tell us, you will be overpaid, we will have to recover the money and you could be prosecuted. We do not want this to happen.

Worthings executive for housing, Councillor Hazel Thorpe, said: We are most anxious to help customers avoid possible hardship and will be happy to provide them with advice about new arrangements.

Anyone who receives a tax credit award letter can call the council on 01903 206661.

If you have not already claimed the new working tax credit or child tax credit, you should contact the Inland Revenue for an application form by telephoning 0845 3003900 or logging on to www.inlandrevenue.go.uk/taxcredits.

Those who may qualify include: Single people, without disability, over 25 and above who are working more than 30 hours per week; couples, without children or disability, over 25, working more than 30 hours per week; couples or lone parents with children; disabled people, under 60, working at least 16 hours per week; people aged 50 or over, working at least 16 hours per week but previously on benefits and without a job for six months; and students or student nurses with children.