Hi, my name is GillianC! Would I qualify for UC?

GillianC

I have fibromyalgia and it's made it hard to do my job. I've dropped down to 20 hours per week over 4 days but still really struggling. I'm limited to what I can do. I've been on and off the sick for periods of up to 3 months over the last year. It's looking like the service I work for (I'm a support worker) are going to pay me off because there isn't a service suitable for me to work in and I basically can't do the job iam employed to do. That would be the best bet for me to be able to get a new job of about 10 hours a week which will suit my symptoms and condition. Would I qualify for universal credit and the LCW if I'm still working when paid off (don't think I will be because it's too many hours and it's killing me off) and not on the sick?

GillianC

Should have also said I get the lower level of pip but not the mobility side. Thanks. Any help appreciated.

Holly_Scope

Hi @GillianC and welcome to the community 😊 Sorry if this is a silly question, but would this be a redundancy payment they're looking to make?

GillianC

Hi. No an ill health let me go type of thing. I've only been there a year and a half. It's either that or I go on sick and just get SSP as my work stick pay ended after 3 months continuous sick. There literally isn't a job I can do in the service and they can't just create one for me

Holly_Scope

H @GillianC if you are being dismissed you will have more potential to claim benefits, LCWRA is a potential but it depends on the grounds of your dismissal and medical condition. However if you're choosing to leave on your own accord it might be a little more difficult. I'm presuming they've gone through the occupational health assessment process etc as this really needs to happen first?

GillianC

Yes I've had occupational health assessment. On the redeployment list but nothing suitable so far. Not long left on the list, I get 12 weeks. I'm not going to leave of my own accord because I know I'll not get benefits. I'm just going to concede and accept that I can't do the job, which I can't as i am now limited to what I can do. I may have to go on the sick if it's going to be a long drawn out process. My doctor has been great and this won't be a problem because I'm genuinely struggling to even get out of bed on a morning. I should be starting with at 7 but just manage to get in for 10, which has been agreed with manager. They've been very supportive as have HR. Credit to union rep too.

Holly_Scope

Bless you @GillianC. It does sound like they're looking after you. And I agree, sick might be the option if it's going to take some time and it's not manageable for you. You don't want to be putting yourself in any more pain.

GillianC

Thank you so much. I feel like I'm totally in limbo. I'm lucky enough to be mortgage free but still worry about money. I'm only 54 too. It's been hard to adjust to and accept that I can't do what I could. Always been an active person with a physical job.