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Need to stop working

Foxy66

Hi I posted but in the wrong place so I may be repeating myself-63 worked all my life I cannot retire untill next May 25 only can get SSP from work which I would struggle to pay my bills so I am worried but also I'm very ill iv just been diagnosed amongst other things with Cervical Stenosis and Myositis this has had a big effect on my walking and balance I have to have help with daily things like dressing washing and getting up from chair my pain and cramps is 24/7 but I don't know who to go to or where to start at the moment I'm just trying to plod on

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poppy123456

State pension age is now 66 so you have a while yet before you retire. You can use a benefits calculator first to see if there's any entitlement to Universal Credit (UC). It's a means tested benefit so if you live with a partner you'll need to claim as a couple. If you have capital/savings of more than £16,000 you're excluded from claiming.

If the benefit calculator shows entitlement then you'll need to make sure you report your health condition when you claim and provide a fit note. You will need to go through a work capability assessment too. Benefit calculator here.

https://www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator/

3 months before your SSP ends you can look at claiming New style ESA. Entitlement will be based on your NI contributions in tax years 2021/22 and 2022/23 and it's not means tested. You'll need your SSP1 form to claim it and a fit note. Payments will not start until SSP ends because both can't be paid at the same time. See link.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-style-employment-and-support-allowance

If you claim both of the above at the same time the ESA will be deducted in full from any UC entitlement.

Unless you live in Scotland you can also look at claiming PIP. It's a disability benefit that isn't means tested so other household income, savings/capital will not affect the amount you maybe entitled to. It's also not about your ability to work. Whether there's any entitlement will depend on how your conditions affect you because it's not awarded based on any diagnosis.

A claim for PIP could take at least 6 months, maybe longer. See links.

https://www.gov.uk/pip

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/Global/Migrated_Documents/adviceguide/pip-9-table-of-activities-descriptors-and-points.pdf

I know It's a lot of information to take in but I also advise you to have a read of this.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-assessment-guide-for-assessment-providers/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-the-assessment-criteria#daily-living-activities

kitkat23

HAveyou got a private pension?can you pay for ill health retirement t?

Jimm_Alumni

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/121221/need-to-stop-working

Hi @Foxy66, Poppy has already given some great advice about the benefits you could be eligible for to help you with costs. I just wanted to add that, if you are in Scotland, you can apply for ADP (Adult Disability Payment). It is very similar to PIP but is administered by the Scottish government instead of the DWP.

You say that you are needing help with daily tasks, can I ask if you've received a care assessment at all?

Foxy66

Hi no I haven't got that far as still trying to work but it's like pulling teeth it's a struggle,

I'm with a neurologist at the Queen Elizabeth in November delay due to secretary been off with a bereavement should have had appointment this week.

I'm thinking today iv got to bite the bullet and go down sick and take it from that point - I think I'm just frightened and the 6 month wait is not helpful.

Foxy66

Meant to say May 25 I can stop not anything to do with the state pension-so it's still 9 months away

Bydand

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/121221/need-to-stop-working

I believe that as a general rule you can stop working at the age of 55, although doing so would obviously have consequences to the amount of workplace pension you receive.

At the age of 63 though it might be worth asking your pension provider for a pension forecast and breakdown of what you might receive if you took early retirement. At least having that information would be useful.

Not sure what employment you are in but would they consider releasing you through capability…..this is generally a mutual acknowledgment that you are unfit for your work and in most cases involves a financial settlement of some sorts. This may or may not see you through to the date you want to officially retire…..if you are in a union it might be best discussing your situation with them.

Obviously I’ll health retirement is another option but the rules and criteria are very strict around this, especially permanency of condition and symptoms……my advice having gone through IHR is never leave it too late to apply…..many folks leave it until they have exhausted all their SSP failing to realise that it might take another 6 months or longer for any IHR award to be granted, but certainly if you deem yourself too ill to work then IHR is worth looking into.

As others have stated, if you haven’t already done so then look into applying for PIP

I hope your health improves and you manage to get yourself on a more even keel…..this getting old malarkey is no fun and when illness or disease throws its cards into the hat then it can often begin to feel overwhelming very quickly. Finances are obviously a huge worry but sometimes you have to put your health and wellbeing first despite the issues this can cause.

I fought my illness for a long time and continued to be at work way past the time when I should have said enough is enough. The only consolation was that when I had reached the stage of knowing I could no longer work and applied for IHR, it really was the best decision I had made despite not wanting to leave my employment at the relatively young age of 54.

Foxy66

Thank you for your, advice think iv made my mind up as my health will just slowly get worse no chance of getting better even with a spine operation the symptoms will still exist just not get worse.

Even in 6 months I can see a big difference in my self I can no longer do stairs or even walk for longer than 20 mins without sitting and feet going into cramping and then numbness in legs it's very unpredictable

Take care and thank you

poppy123456

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/898631#Comment_898631

If you claim Universal Credit then any pension you receive will reduce the UC £1 for £1. For New style ESA any pension of up to £85/week is ignored. For every £1/week over that amount any ESA will reduce by 50p/week.

Bydand

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/898726#Comment_898726

Feel free to reach out at anytime and ask questions. If I can’t help or don’t know the answers then I am sure someone will.

Foxy66

Hiya

Just thought I would let you know IV had a very positive and helpful conversation with citizens advice and also turn to us,

Things I can get help with and which way to go first steps so feel a lot more happier and less stressed about the whole decision.

Iv been fortunate to work all my life so not savvy on asking for help

poppy123456

I'm glad you got some extra advice but I hope the advice you had from Citizens Advice matched my advice because it has been know for them to give incorrect advice. For this reason is does worry me somewhat.

jamiebear

Hi there, I’ve got spinal stenosis (diagnosed 5 years ago) and I totally understand your pain.

As you know it’s a progressive condition and depending on how it affects you, I would strongly recommend that you apply for a disability payment,

Foxy66

Hi Jamiebear

At least I know what it is now but I think the myositis is now having a big effect, Citizens advice was brilliant not judgmental which I find can come across sometimes iv paid 45 years full stamp so il get something and what will be will be…