Return to Work Credit?

HereWeGoLoubyLou

Hi, I was just wondering if anyone could advise me, i'm not sure if this should be in the employment section as it's about benefits too.

I've been off work for just over 2 years now due to illness . I'm almost 100% now and have been offered a new part time job starting in 2 weeks (not at the same company as I went off sick from - that was working nights and I will not be going back there).

Whilst off sick, I have been claiming Income Support as I did not qualify for Incapacity due to my NI contributions, but the IS is through Incapacity.

I had a work focused interview a couple of months ago at the jobcentre and was told if I go back to work part time I will have my wage topped up, i'm sure he said to me that i's qualify for working tax credits due to me being off sick although i'm only 24 and have no children. The way he worked it out was if I was earnin £90 I would be coming out with almost £200, but this does not add up to me.

I've done some research and I think I qualify for the one off grant, I was just wondering if the Return to Work Credit still exists, the £40 a week for 52 weeks as long as you work at least 16 hours and earn under £15,000.

Thank you in advance for any advice, this is all so confusing!:rotfl:

healy

Yes the return to work credit still exists.

Working Tax Credit if you are disabled

You can get Working Tax Credit if you are disabled provided:

you work at least 16 hours a week and
your income is low enough and
you get certain benefits because of your disability and
your disability puts puts you at a disadvantage in getting a job. HM Revenue and Customs may ask you to give them the name of a healthcare professional who can confirm how your disability affects your chances of finding work. This might be a doctor, occupational therapist or a community nurse.
The qualifying benefits include Incapacity Benefit, Disability Living Allowance,Employment and Support Allowance, Attendance Allowance, Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit, Statutory Sick Pay, a war pension with constant attendance allowance, occupational sick pay or Income Support or National Insurance credits awarded because you have been unable to work. There are rules about how long you have to have been getting some of these benefits before you claim Working Tax Credit. Some of these benefits stop once you are working, and some carry on.

If you are disabled and you are not sure whether you qualify for Working Tax Credit, you should consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau.

HereWeGoLoubyLou

Thank you so much for your reply.

I'm not disabled so won't get the working tax credit, the man at the jobcentre must have gotten it wrong, but after researching I do qualify for the Return to Work Credit and the Grant so that is good

di3004

Hi there

Not heard of "Return to work credit" please could someone enlighten me on this matter, thanks.;)

healy

Return to Work Credit after a period of ill-health

Return to Work Credit is a payment of £40 a week. You can get it if you go back to work after a period of ill-heath, as long as you have been claiming certain benefits.

It is payable for a maximum of twelve months.

Return to Work Credit is non-taxable and is not counted as income if you're claiming Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit. It is possible for Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit to be paid at the same time as Return to Work Credit.

Return to Work Credit has been introduced as part of the Pathways to Work Scheme and is delivered by Jobcentre Plus. For more information about Return to Work Credit and the Pathways to Work scheme, you can ask at your local Jobcentre Plus office or go to the Jobcentre Plus website.

Who can get Return to Work Credit

You can get Return to Work Credit if you have been getting one or more of the following benefits paid because of sickness or disability:

Incapacity Benefit
Employment and Support Allowance
Income Support because of sickness or disability
Severe Disablement Allowance.
You must usually have been getting these benefits for 13 weeks immediately before starting work. However, you could still get Return to Work Credit if you haven't been claiming one of these benefits for 13 weeks, as long as you were claiming Statutory Sick Pay for 13 weeks before making the claim for the benefit.

You must work for at least 16 hours a week in a job that is expected to last for more than five weeks and you must earn no more than £15,000 per year. You qualify for Return to Work Credit if you become self-employed as long as you meet the other conditions.


How to apply for Return to Work Credit

You must apply to your local Jobcentre Plus office within five weeks of starting work.


How is Return to Work Credit paid

Return to Work Credit is paid into your bank or building society account or into an existing Post Office card account. In exceptional cases, it will be paid by cheque.