Return to work credit?

emsywoo123

Hi
I am returning to work tomorrow after 26 weeks and 2 days on Income Support. I have enquired about the return to work credit offer, and have recived the following answers :

1. Lone Parent adviser says no as I had to be on IS for 52 weeks before claim
2. Income Supoprt helpline says yes, as threshold is 26 weeks

Does anyone know?

rachnbri

It's definitely 52 weeks - the IS helpline may have confused it with the jobgrant?

Are you claiming purely as a lone parent or do you also have health issues?

dmg24

rachnbri wrote: »

It's definitely 52 weeks - the IS helpline may have confused it with the jobgrant?

Are you claiming purely as a lone parent or do you also have health issues?

Beat me to it!

rachnbri is spot on, it is 52 weeks for lone parents, and 13 weeks for those on incapacity benefits.

emsywoo123

Ah ha now I thought the same as you 2! I have been claiming IS for about a year and a half, but I took a temp work contract in October last year for 3 wekks, so I assumed I am still ruled out (I did get HB run on?)
and yes, just lone parent, no health issues!

rachnbri

Unfortunately it does have to be 52 continuous weeks. It seems a bit unfair to people who haven't claimed that long - but that's a subject for a different board!

emsywoo123

rachnbri wrote: »

Unfortunately it does have to be 52 continuous weeks. It seems a bit unfair to people who haven't claimed that long - but that's a subject for a different board!

That's ok, but I thought I ought to check. When I called tax credits this morning to let them know about change of circs, the guy said "well it won't change anything, as you have to be in work 30 hrs per week before you can claim WTC":eek:

I put him right

Boppy_2

emsywoo123 wrote: »

That's ok, but I thought I ought to check. When I called tax credits this morning to let them know about change of circs, the guy said "well it won't change anything, as you have to be in work 30 hrs per week before you can claim WTC":eek:

I put him right

Good on you :rotfl: Good luck with your new job, hope you enjoy it.

emsywoo123

Boppy wrote: »

Good on you :rotfl: Good luck with your new job, hope you enjoy it.

Thank you..........I wouldn't have known really unless I came on this site, so thank you Martin!!:j