Tax Credits

[Tezzabell]

I have a 16 month old daughter and have been off work on long term sick since november. i was receiving working tax credits and child tax credits. now, my employer says that as they have paid me for 28 weeks sick, they can no longer pay me and although i am still on their books i would have to claim incapacity benefit.

if i inform tax credits, which i am going to, will this make any difference to my working tax credits? if so, would there be any other benefits availible to me to compensate for that?

please do not be judgemental on this, i would love to be out working, but i really am unable to, ive got my girl and my mortgage and my husband and all i am trying to do is trying to survive a very difficult situation both mentally and financially.

cheers

[mrs_overall]

While you are still technically employed you are still entitled to receive WTC. However, I would advise you phone the tax credits office and keep them informed f the situation. If your income has gone down because your pay has ceased and your IB is less than your wages, they may actually increase their payments to you.
Please don't bury your head in the sand and end up owing them money.
Good luck.

[themas]

You can go on getting working tax credit for the first 28 weeks you are on Incapacity Benefit but then it stops. This will only apply to you if you are still unable to work in 28 weeks time.

If that does happen, it is vital you contact the Tax Credits Office before the end of the 28 weeks and make quite sure they stop the payments. Otherwise they will overpay you and eventually will want the money back. Do not assume they have got it right - always check.

You can check all this with them when you ring to tell them you are going on to Incapacity Benefit.

[Tezzabell]

thanks guys, i wasnt gonna just bury my head in the sand over it, i just wanted to get an idea of what the state of play wold be, x