Benefits whilst on sick leave from work?

KaliB
KaliB Community member Posts: 25 Connected
edited November 14 in Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

My health has had a rapid decline over the last 6-12 months, both physically and mentally. I have had significant time off work, and have currently just started a new period of sickness. This is adding to my ever increasing anxiety, as I have bills to pay.

My workplace has a good sickness pay policy but I'm only entitled to full pay for a short time, then half and finally SSP. They add the days up off sick over the last rolling 12 months to see how long you have left of full pay etc. I don't know for how much longer I'm entitled to full pay as HR only send this out in letter form once you've had an extended time of sickness. I've already dropped my hours down to the minimum I can afford.

I receive standard daily pip and I live with my parents as they need to help me as there are physical things I can't do and I really need their support right now as my mental health is in the toilet.

I've used a few of the online calculators, but they don't paint a very helpful picture about benefits. I've read a lot online and this forum about different work capabilities and extra money for this etc but it is hard to make sense of. I have never applied for anything other than the pip and no one in my family has ever been on benefits, so they can't offer any useful advice.

Can I apply for any support whilst I'm off work sick (except the pip I already receive)?

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Comments

  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Community member Posts: 3,341 Championing

    Hi,

    If I've read that correctly, you are currently still on full pay? In that case, your earnings are likely to be far too high to receive Universal Credit.

    I think you can apply for New Style ESA instead at this point instead. You will need to get a fit note from a GP that shows your basic health limitations with regards to work. And that will trigger a Work Capability Assessment. From the WCA, you either get put into the Support Group, or the Work Related Activity Group.

    You cannot receive New Style ESA at the same time as SSP. But you may then be able to claim Universal Credit instead, when your earnings change in that way. (Assuming you don't have more than £16,000 in savings, which prevents any entitlement to Universal Credit.)

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