Long term sick leave UC childcare money.

[WorkMess2025]

Hello,

I am currently off on long term sick leave (3 months) due to a new disabling condition. I am still in my full pay period but as requested by UC I have submitted sick notes.

I am a lone parent with 1 child in nursery. I have kept her in nursery as I am hoping to return to work following redeployment and if I lose this childcare place, I wouldn't be able to. This could come through any day. Also, with things being tricky at home, she needs that consistency and the place to run, where being unwell I struggle to maintain that!

I claim universal credit to top up wages and get the childcare element. I can't really see a clear answer regarding if I can still claim these childcare costs while off sick? It says you can if you're on Satatory Sick Pay, but unsure if Occupational Sick Pay counts?

Little concerned about her losing her place as it is the only one around that would suit any work!

Can you use the UC journal to ask this question x

Absolutely! I have done, but as is always the way, I'm worrying about it now and they've not replied. So figured I'd ask the hive mind in case anyone knew.

Still no answer on UC journal. Anyone have any insight?

It would be very unusual for part of your pay not to be SSP when you are off sick. Have you had a wage slip since being off?

I'm NHS, so 6 months full pay, then SSP once I go to half pay. My payslip just says "basic pay" as normal. The only reason UC know I am off sick is because I've been reporting fit notes from my GP.

32.—(1) The work condition is met in respect of an assessment period if —
(a)the claimant is in paid work or has an offer of paid work that is due to start before the end of the next assessment period; and
(b)if the claimant is a member of a couple (whether claiming jointly or as a single person), the other member is either in paid work or is unable to provide childcare because that person—
(i)has limited capability for work,
(ii)has regular and substantial caring responsibilities for a severely disabled person, or
(iii)is temporarily absent from the claimant’s household.
(2) For the purposes of meeting the work condition in relation to an assessment period a claimant is to be treated as being in paid work if—
(a)the claimant has ceased paid work—
(i)in that assessment period,
(ii)in the previous assessment period, or
(iii)if the assessment period in question is the first or second assessment period in relation to an award, in that assessment period or in the month immediately preceding the commencement of the award; or
(b)the claimant is receiving statutory sick pay, statutory maternity pay, ordinary statutory paternity pay, additional statutory paternity pay, statutory adoption pay or a maternity allowance.
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This is from the UC Regs but I am going round in circles for a definition of paid work.
You are currently employed and being paid so I cannot see that you can be classed as anything other than being in paid work. But that isn’t much help as a definite answer.

@Bromptotoo could you give your thoughts?

Thank you, it's really difficult to understand what the definitive rule is. I guess hopefully they'll reply soon with some sort of guidelines.

Yes you’re still in paid employment even if you are off sick so will be fine.