Guidance re SSP, ESA and CTC please

chivers1977

I have been off sick for 26 weeks so my full pay finishes as at tomorrow. I am awaiting an angiogram to check the blood flow as is looking like I will need an operation which has a 1-6 month recovery patient-dependent.

I will then have SSP paid until 1st June according to my employer. Am I correct in thinking that I can call CTC tomorrow and tell them that our income is as follows:

DH £17500 pa
Me Earned income £2500 gross plus SSP (although this will only be for another 3 weeks)

I am still to apply for ESA as I need the SSP1 which I can't get until I get signed off tomorrow.

Do I qualify for the disablement element of WTC as when I've run the figures through entitled to it asks this question - I have tried to figure this out but at present I don't know how long I will be this incapacitated for?

To complicate matters I have also applied for the Ill Health Income Protection plan that my employer offer which pays 50% of my income for 2 years. This is a taxable benefit so I will get a payslip for it if/when it gets agreed. It will take up to another 12 weeks for the claim to be assessed. My employer said that when I call CTC to not mention it as at present they are not paying me and it is not on my payslip - I work for a huge company so I presume this is correct. Then if/when the claim does get agreed, I would call CTC up again to inform them.

Many thanks in advance

MrsManda

Statutory Sick Pay is available for 28 weeks, including any occupational sick pay so if you've been off 26 weeks from tomorrow you'll receive SSP for a further two weeks and then you'll need to be claiming ESA. I don't know why your employer says you'll receive SSP until mid june, has he or you got your dates mixed up?
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Illorinjured/DG_10018786

As you've said, once you've been given your SSP1 form with the date your SSP will stop then you can use this to claim ESA. This should be done as soon as possible so your claim can be processed but you won't receive it until your SSP ends.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Illorinjured/DG_10018786

I haven't a clue about tax credits though I'm sure someone else will be able to answer your questions soon. Though I think that, as you'll have been off work for more than 28 weeks I don't think you're going to continue to receive WTC. You need to tell Tax Credits if you are off work for more than 28 weeks.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/TaxCredits/Keepingyourtaxcreditsuptodate/Changesthataffectyourtaxcredits/Changesatwork/DG_174175

chivers1977

Thank you very much