ESA and tax credit payments

boots1_2

hi
I am hoping someone may please be able to advise me?

I have currently been off ill from work for around 22 weeks whilst I am undergoing various test and procedures.
I have carried on recieving my tax credits which is the childcare element and company sick pay, however when my sick pay comes to an end(after 26 weeks) I may be entitled to a company plan which will pay upto 50% of your salary alongside ESA if you are entitled to it .
My question is I was told by tax credits after 28 weeks I would need to inform them if I was still off work ,at the moment I am still recieving tax credits for childcare fees as my children are still attending due to me being unable to take them to and from school and that even if they didnt attend I would still have to pay.what would the situation be after 28 weeks in regards to childcare element ? I am concerned as I do not want to lose my childrens places and that I am unable as I am ill I am relying on my childminder probably more than normal.
I have never been off ill for thi long before so no idea about ESA I have googled it after being told by our HR dept that I may be able to claim this after my company sick pay ends but from what I have read I can only see information on people who are not in employment

Any help or advise would be greatly appreciated

Thankyou xx

Turn2us

The childcare element of Tax Credits is paid as part of Working Tax Credit. To qualify for Working Tax Credit you must be in full-time paid work. Whilst you are in receipt of statutory sick pay (topped up by contractual sick pay in your case) you are still treated as being in full-time paid work. If you are unable to return to work after the 28 weeks you are no longer treated as being in full-time paid work so no longer eligible for Working Tax Credit.

What you can get is a Working Tax Credit run-on. You can be treated as being in full-time work for a further four weeks, still qualifying for the childcare element, even though you have otherwise lost entitlement. It is important to keep HMRC informed if you are unable to return to work so they can update your award.

Employment Support Allowance which you can claim after the 28 weeks on sick pay does not have a childcare element.

For full advice on your situation and options consult a local benefits adviser.

Hope this helps