Phased return to work for part time employee and SSP advise

reaver2016

Hi

I have been off sick due to needing a major operation for cancer treatment. I am currently in receipt of SSP. 88.45 a week My usual contracted hours are only 30 hours a week. I have been off for several weeks now and following the operation three weeks ago am now looking to try to return to work asap. My consultant has recommended a phased return to work

My employer is a small family business, they have agreed due to me going back whatever I can manage on a phased return. I have spoken to Fit for Work and their guidelines only cover fulltime employees and that I would need to have four days of absence if I was to qualify for the SSP. Seeing as I only work 4 days a week anyway apparently this means that even if I try to go into work for one morning a week initially then i would not get paid any SSP for that week just for the hours I work. I am a single parent so need to be careful what I do as money is very tight, I am still very tired from the operation and stress of the last few weeks so emotionally need to be fit as well (its quite a mentally demanding job). It isn't the best paid job - I earn 14k a year.

I have spoken to tax credits helpline today, I am currently still receiving the 30 hours a week run on for working tax credits as well as tax credits. If I return to work and dont work at least 16 hours a week I will not receive any working tax credits at all.

It all sounds rather complicated and sounds like unless I immediately go back to my usual hours of 30 I will be penalised heavily. I already checked and I dont qualify for any benefits.

Can anyone shed some light on this?

thanks