Hi, my name is Welshshrop60! Need to give up work, but unsure what I can claim.

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Welshshrop60

Hi

I have rheumatoid and osteoarthritisI claim lower rate mobility and higher rate care PIP. I had to change my job 6 months ago and now work part time. However the fatigue is getting so bad and my hands are finding it difficult to type any longer, without my hands and wrists becoming painful. I need to give up work but I am not sure what I can claim if I do this. My husbands income would not let me have housing benefit, council tax etc, but is there a sickness benefit I can claim. I have worked since I am 16 I am now 62 . Thanks for any advice.

poppy123456

You should look into claiming SSP first from your employer. Which is payable for 28 weeks.

https://www.gov.uk/statutory-sick-pay/eligibility

New claims for housing benefit for working age people are no longer possible, unless you live in either supported or temporary housing.

It would need to be Universal Credit (UC) you would need to claim, which includes help with your rent. It's a means tested benefit so you would need to claim with your partner. If you have capital of more than £16,000 you're excluded from claiming. It would be worth using a benefits calculator to check entitlement.

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

There's also New style ESA but this can't be paid at the same time as SSP. 3 months before SSP ends you can start a claim, you'll need a fit note and your SSP1 form to claim it. Payments won't start until 7 days after SSP ends. Entitlement is based on your NI contributions in the previous 2 tax years. It's not means tested like UC is so living with a partner will not affect the amount you're entitled to. At the moment it's £90.50/week, increasing to £138.20/week from the 14th week, if you're placed into the Support Group.

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