Hi, my name is david400! I'm losing my job due to ill health. What benefits could I claim?

david400

Help please
I am losing my job due to ill health.
My employer is saying that I can't work on reduced hours.
Can you please help with the benefits I could claim.
Thankyou

Tori_Scope

Hello and welcome to the community @david400 How are you? 

I'm sorry to hear that you're losing your job to ill health. Has your employer looked into ways to keep you in work? Dismissal should be a last resort, as outlined on the gov.uk website:

Considering dismissing an employee

Dismissal is a last resort and you should consider as many ways as possible to help the employee back to work, including:

• getting a medical report from their GP with the employee’s permission - they have the right to see the report before you do

• arranging an occupational health assessment

• work out whether or not they’re disabled and make any reasonable adjustments to help them do their job

If the employee cannot do their job because there are no reasonable adjustments that can be made, it may be fair for you to dismiss them, even if they’re disabled.

In terms of what benefits you could claim, you can use a benefits calculator to work out what you might be entitled to. Have you ever tried one before? 

Just to let you know, I've renamed your post and moved it into a different category so that other members can find it more easily.

janer1967

Hi and welcome 

I suggest you go and see your gp and get fit note stating either you are fit for work on reduced hours or get singed off sick 

You then get Ssp fir 28 weeks and any company sick pay if they pay this 

Then go through a medical dismissal if appropriate ask to see the company policy on this 

Once sap has run put you can possibly claim new style esa dependant on your ni contributions and if still unfit supply fit notes so you can be assessed for your fitness for work which could pay more 

As above do benefits calculator as you can enter all details 

calcotti

If you have have ill health and give your employer a Fit Note from your GP they should pay you Statutory Sick Pay for up to 28 weeks. Or have you already had that? 
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/work/rights-at-work/sick-pay/getting-money-when-youre-off-work-sick/

calcotti

Possible relevant benefits will be

• new style ESA (depending on NI record and not eligible while entitled to SSP
• Universal Credit depending on household income and excluded if savings over £16,000. Applying for UC will end any means tested benefits you currently get including Tax Credits
• Personal Independence Payment if your health conditions limit your ability to carry out prescribed activities

Benefit calculators will help you workout what you might get. If claiming on grounds of ill health you will have to have an assessment to determine eligibility for relevant awards.

Ross_Alumni

Hello @david400

Sorry to read you are losing your job due to your health, I would definitely have a read of what Tori has suggested as there may be ways for you to stay in your current job should you want to. 

I also hope that the replies from other members have been helpful for you. 

Scope is writing a new advice page aimed at people in a situation like yourself, if you want to contribute towards it and offer your experience, you can find out more info here.

Sandy_123

Hi @david400 sorry to read about your work  have you got a union repersentive, they are very useful in these situations, have you been referred to your work o c health for assessment, if you put sick notes in this should start that off, your employer should put reasonable adjustments In. A useful link below.
https://www.xperthr.co.uk/faq/when-is-it-permissible-for-an-employer-to-terminate-the-contract-of-an-employee-on-the-grounds-of-ill-health/19976/#:~:text=An employer that dismisses an,of the Equality Act 2010.
Let us know how things go