Return to Work Credit?

HereWeGoLoubyLou

*I posted this in the benefits forum as well, wasn't sure which to do*

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:

Foyzone

Yes it does. Make an appointment to see your IB advisor. They will recalculate your tax credits based on your earnings. They will give you the forms to apply for return to work credit. You will also get a £100 job grant, you need to tell the benefit centre you are stating work and they will send you the form.

You often get more in tax credits than you did on your benefits, and then of course you have your wages as well...quids in!!

HereWeGoLoubyLou

Thanks for your reply, that sounds really good, i'm not sure that i'll get working tax credit cause i'm not disabled but from what i've seen I will get the return to work credit and the grant, which will come in handy as it's a job in a clothes shop so I have to wear my own clothes from that brand!

I'm so excited to be going back to work and this will really help to ease me back in!

-BA-

Other things that you MAY qualify for include:

1. Housing benefit and council tax benefit run-on - This is where your rent and council tax could be paid for a month after you start work

2. JCP back to work bonus of £100 - Paid where a claimant is coming off long term IB.

3. Tax Credits - you may qualify for the disability element of working tax credits where one would be eligible for tax credits between 16 and 30 hours subject to meeting certain criteria. You certainly meet the benefit criteria (I take it you are claiming IS with a Disability Premium?) - Go here for more information: http://www.disabilityalliance.org/f9.htm and http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/research/report-47-final.pdf . Remember if you don't ask, you may not get.

4. 104 week linking rule - if you indeed are on IS with DP then your benefit is slightly increased above normal due to length of time on it. This "level" can be protected for 2 years when returning to paid employment of more than 16 hours per week. The benefit itself is not protected, if reclaiming you would still have to meet the eligibility criteria for sickness benefits but if successful in returning to IS then you would do so under the same rate as you left it.

5. I don't know what provisions are available in your area but there are external providers who may be able to support with services such as in-work support and job grants. These are called job brokers and may well be in a position to help. Jobcentreplus can also offer an inwork support service that is also contracted out to external providers.

6. Finally there is a provision known as ADF (Advisor Discretionary Fund) that IB advisors in the jobcentre can use (at their discretion) to support with funding costs such as clothing, equipment, travel. Generally there needs to be a specific barrier that may effect your ability to take the role but again if you don't ask (BEFORE YOU START WORK) you don't necessarily get offered it.

Hope some of this information helps.

HereWeGoLoubyLou

Thanks so much for your reply

I live with my mum so I don't get anything like housing benefit cause it all goes through her.

I'm not sure about that disability thing cause I was ill for a long time and had a lot of surgeries but wasn't put down as disabled, I didn't receive any help with transport or anything, all I got was Income Support through Incapacity, but didn't get the actual Incapacity Benefit due to not paying enough National Insurance (I missed the threshold by £150).

When I went for my work focused interview, the advisor did say that if I get ill in the next 2 years i'd go back on the same rate Income support as i'm on now and that's realy good cause it could come back although i'm obviously hoping not!

Thanks for the advice about job brokers and the grants, i'll definately look into that, there's so much to look out for isn't there!?

I'm going to ring the jobcentre tomorrow and see what they say, tell them about the job and ask about the return to work credit.

Even though i've been off sick for a long time i've never had to deal with all the different bebnefits and stuff it's all so confusing!

Thank you so much for your help