Working Tax Credit / Rent A Room Query

[Waxwing]

My friend is 61 and a hairdresser with low wages. I advised her to apply for working tax credits. When she rang up the Tax Credit Office (last week) she was told she had too high an income, but when I type her details into the calculator, it says she does qualify.

Her income for this tax year is likely to be:
£10,200 from Rent a Room (of which I understand £7,500 doesn't qualify as income)
£6,500 wages
making a yearly income of £9,200

Is she being fobbed off? If so, what can she do?

[chelle7272]

I understood the £7500 was tax free but it still counts as income which likely puts her above the threshold.

[Waxwing]

Belated thanks
I've checked it out and you're right- it's tax free but counts as income.