Can I claim Back to Work Credit?

KDC

I was claiming JSA from 1st Jan 2012 until 16th Nov 2012 then went onto ESA (which I'm currently claiming).

I've now got a job which starts 2nd Jan and it will take me off benefits (thank goodness).

Does anybody know if I can claim Back to Work Credit of £40/wk on my return? Plus there is a £250 one off payment I think and I was wondering if I will get that too? Or is it just one or the other?

I'm quite confused and I've looked at DWP website but as I wont be claiming ESA for 13wks before going back to work I'm unsure if I qualify!!

I'm a single parent with children under 15yrs of age. The job is temp until end of March but I may be kept on and it's 16hrs/wk.

Many thanks in advance.

Guilty.Spark

Hi,

You have to have been claiming ESA for 13 weeks before you qualify for BTWC if you haven't, then unfortunately you don't qualify.

KDC

Thanks for the reply. I will have only been claiming approx 6wks - never mind.

princessdon

Does your JSA time not count?

KDC

Hi princessdon, that was what I was hoping but am really not sure. I was hoping someone could tell me but must be as Guilty.Spark says and only ESA counts.

Never mind then - it was a hope as mega broke!!

princessdon

I thought it was means tested benefits and so your jsa counts as long as no break. Give them a ring to make sure - no harm in asking

supertomsk

If you are a lone parent you may be entitled to In work Credit. You have to be on benefits for 52 weeks to qualify. A combination is ok. I don't think the 3 waiting days at the start of your JSA claim count, so you are borderline.
You will not be entitled to BTWC as time on JSA does not count.
The job grant is 6 months on benefits, so you may be ok there.
Do you need help with travel costs to get back and for to work, if so you could ask yr advisor about help from the Flexible support fund.
If you qualify for the job grant, you will also qualify for the 4 week run with help for housing costs and CT.

2gorgeousgirls

In NI so rules may be different but here to get the return to work credit you have to be on sick benefit for 13 weeks. That can be a combination of SSP and ESA.

Alternatively lone parents who have been on benefit for 13 weeks qualify only if their children are within the age group which would entitle the parent to income support.

As for the one off payment, that is automatically generated when you sign off in the proper manner, ie you let benefits know in writing that you wish to close your claim because you are going into employment. If you just fail to sign for JSA or fail to send in med certs, the system will not have the right data input to generate payment.