Hi, my name is Barnie! What am I entitled to after ill health retirement?

Barnie

Hi Folks, I'm being ill health retired shortly after 40 year serive due to stress, anxiety and depression. I'm devastated. I don't know if I'm entitled to free counselling or any financial help as I'm now down to half pay. Any help would be appreciated.

Barnie

poppy123456

For financial help you can look at claiming New style ESA because this isn't means tested so living with a working partner, capital/savings and pensions of up to £85/week do not affect the amount you're entitled to. (assuming you're below state pension age)

Entitlement will be based on your NI contributions in the previous 2 tax years.

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

You will need a fit note and your SSP1 form to claim this. It can also be backdated for a maximum of 3 months, providing you weren't claiming SSP at that time because it can't be paid at the same time as this.

You can also use a benefits calculator to check entitlement to Universal Credit. (UC) As this is a means tested benefit if you live with a partner you'll need to claim as a couple. If you have capital of more than £16,000 you're excluded from claiming. The ESA will be deducted in full from any UC entitlement.

https://www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator/Intro/Home?cid=79bd51e3-d58c-4874-a6c5-020bc28c1df4

There's also a disability benefit such as PIP (unless you're living in Scotland and then it would be ADP) this isn't means tested. Whether there's any entitlement to this will depend on how your health conditions affect you. There's some information in the links below.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/

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

For counselling you can speak to your GP who would be able to refer you but the waiting lists are rather long in most areas. Other members may have more advice on this.

Rosie_Scope

Hi @Barnie, sorry to hear you're having to take ill health retirement. It can be really difficult adjusting to the change, but Poppy's given some good advice above. Using a benefits calculator is a good start to get an idea of things you might be entitled to.

Have you spoken to your GP about how you're feeling? Sometimes they can be a good port of call to get you referred on for some counselling.

Barnie

Hi Poppy/Rosie, thank you both so much for your helpful replies. I'm kind of overwhelmed with everything at present but i'll get there. Much appreciated.

Jimm_Alumni

Hey @Barnie, I can understand feeling overwhelmed with it all. Have you looked into reaching out to your local citizen's advice or another similar service? They can sometimes have advisers who can help you through many of these processes.

We have an advice page on help with benefits applications here: Help with benefit forms | Disability charity Scope UK

Barnie

Thanks Jim, i'll try that.

Barnie

Ah thanks Vikki, I've worked all my life, conditioned I suppose, now it's just so strange with having nobody depending on me or having no real role any more but I'm going to stay positive. Thanks again.

Rachel_Scope

Hi @Barnie. I can understand how it would be a shock going from working all your life to not having a role. What do you enjoy doing? Maybe there's a new hobby you could try, or volunteer somewhere if you're able to?

Barnie

Hi Rachel, yeah its a bit of getting used to alright after having worked all my days from leaving school at 17. I will eventually find something. Many thanks!

Barnie

Hi Folks,

Thanks you all so much for your help. I got my ill health retirement confirmed Christmas Eve and i will receive my pension and benefits in due course. Do i continue to get sick lines from my GP and forward them to the ESA people or do i just tell them to stop my ESA payments once i start receiving my pension payments? This is all new to me as i have worked all my days since i left school at 17.

poppy123456

Once you start receiving your pension you will need to report this to ESA. Any pension of up to £85/week is ignored. For every £1 over this amount your ESA will reduce by 50p week.

You need to continue to provide fit notes for ESA.

If you're also claiming Universal Credit then the pension will be treated as other income and reduce the UC £1 for £1.

Danlangridge88

Hi are you over the pension age? Or have you retired early (wasn't clear in your post) because if you are then you claim pension credit instead of universal credit and Attendance allowance instead of PIP

poppy123456

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/960752#Comment_960752

As they are already claiming ESA (which was confirmed in a comment from them on 30th Dec) which is a working age benefit then they must be under state pension age.

Your advice about Pension Credit would not apply if it's a mixed aged couple.

For others that maybe reading this if they are already claiming PIP when they reach state pension age, this will continue for as long as they remain entitled to it. If they claim AA their PIP will stop and AA doesn't have the mobility part.

Barnie

Thanks Poppy, (and everyone). I haven't received my "retirement package" as yet but was just so unsure what to do. I worry constantly about doing something illegal. I am still on medication for depression and am confused about most everything these days but i'm determined to get well again. i have a friend who is going to help me apply for PIP hopefully. Thanks again.