Hi, my name is aicha! If I resign on mental health grounds, will it impact benefits?

aicha

And would like your assistance.8weeks ago I had a breakdown and   have been diagnosed as acute anxiety and depressive disorders.Since I'm struggling mentally emotionally physically unable to do my daily life .I have been on sick leaves since ,my workplace are aware of my predicament and want me to attend their informal absence meeting .I'm physically mentally and emotionally unable to attend work let alone a meeting.Througout my sick leave I have been harassed by work.I want to resign but do not know if my resignation on the mental health ground will be prejudicial for some benefits help.My GP and therapist don't think I'm fit to anything
Please help me

I'm struggling.  I never been in this situation

calcotti

If you have a Fit Note and claim benefits on the basis that you are ill you will not be sanctioned for having resigned.

chiarieds

Hi @aicha - & welcome to the community. I'm sorry to read about your breakdown & inability to work. Do you think your employers might agree to you having this informal absence meeting by phone instead?

I believe financially you would be better off finding out what your employers might offer first before considering resigning, so perhaps try to work with them just now. Just ask them what options there are if you do feel unable to return to work, rather than mentioning resigning.

I'm unsure if you're currently receiving benefits, or wondering about claiming for them if you do indeed leave work?

Ross_Alumni

Hello @aicha

Welcome to the community, it's good to see you join us. 

I'm sorry to hear about your breakdown, and the challenges you have faced recently with your place of work. Are you currently receiving all the support you need from your GP to manage your mental health?

As mentioned above, it might be worth seeing if you can attend the work meeting virtually and then see what they can do for you, but alternatively I hope the benefits advice provided above has been useful in the event that you do see resigning as the best course of action.

aicha

Calcotti 
The only benefit I have got is from my employer 
Statutory Sick Pay.. 
I'm thinking to resign as I can't cope no more  .But I'm lost as I never be in that situation and do not know what to do next ....

calcotti

If you have less than £16,000 of savings you can apply for Universal Credit.
Use a benefits calculator to see what you might get
https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators
If you claim with a Fit Note you will be referred fr a Work capability assessment. If you are found to have Limited Capability for Work and Work Related Activity you will entitled to the LCWRA element from the fourth month (although it may take longer than that to actually get a decision).

aicha

Calcotti
Thank you very much for  your time 
You help is greatly appreciated

chiarieds

Please do try to discuss with your employers, asking what your options are, rather than saying you want to resign. Your Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) could continue up to 28 weeks, &, if you have sufficient National Insurance contributions for the past 2 full tax years ending April 2021, ESA is a possibility (& you can apply for this up to 3 months before SSP ends). You can check your NI contributions here: https://www.gov.uk/check-national-insurance-record

There's also Universal Credit: https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/eligibility

& Personal Independence Payment (PIP), but you have to have had difficulties for 3 months & expect these to continue for at least 9 months. See: https://www.gov.uk/pip/eligibility

atlas47

Hi @aicha

Perhaps, you might wish to speak with Acas, in the first instance, tel 0300 123 1100. They are best placed on all matters related to employment.

Keep us informed and stay safe.

aicha

Thank you very much Atlas