What benefits could I claim if I stopped working, or moved onto reduced hours?

hovegate

I suffer with a number of conditions that is leaving me struggle with my full time job. I am at a stage where I don't think I can carry on but at the same time I know I can't afford not to work.
I have peripheral neuropathy, chronic liver disease probably non alcoholic cirosis of the liver and arthritis and have the following symptoms
No feeling in feet but constant pain.
Constant pain in back chest and stomach
Shoulder and hip pain

Balance severely affected and already had 2 falls and several near misses causing a broken toe and fractured foot.
Unable to walk far and stagger like drunk so have to go slow.
Unable to eat or sleep well
Would say I am more clumsy with hands at mo but getting worse. 
There are several other things like not feeling safe in shower etc.
Wondered if anyone knows what if any benefits I may claim if I have to stop working or if I could manage reduced hours if there is anything else I can claim.
Any help would be appreciated.
TIA

poppy123456

Hi,
Firstly have you spoken to your employer about reasonable Adjustments? See link https://www.gov.uk/reasonable-adjustments-for-disabled-workers
There’s also SSP if entitled from your employer which is paid for 28 weeks. https://www.gov.uk/statutory-sick-pay

On top of the SSP you can look at claiming Universal Credit but whether you’ll qualify will depend on your circumstances. If you live with a partner you claim as a couple. If you have savings/capital of more than £16,000 you’ll be excluded from claiming. 

A claim for UC will end any tax credit you may already be claiming. Use a benefit calculator to check entitlement. https://www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator/Intro/Home?cid=d7a3a158-f646-4ad4-9e3a-e7d5b1216717
If you claim UC you should report your health condition and send in fit notes from your GP.
PIP is a disability benefit, which isn’t means tested. It’s not awarded based on any diagnosis, it’s how those conditions affect you against the PIP descriptors. See link https://pipinfo.net/
A claim for PIP could potentially take about 10 months. 

hovegate

Teddybear12 said:

Hi @hovegate I am sorry you are struggling at the moment. Have you asked if you could reduce your hours ? Could your work place make any reasonable adjustments that would help you? I am not able to advise you on benefits but I am sure someone else with be able to. Welcome to the Community and take care.

Thanks for your info. My employer knows what is happening and doing all they can to help me. Others are doing any fetching and lifting for me. Although on my feet all day I do sit where possible. 

hovegate

poppy123456 said:

Hi,
Firstly have you spoken to your employer about reasonable Adjustments? See link https://www.gov.uk/reasonable-adjustments-for-disabled-workers
There’s also SSP if entitled from your employer which is paid for 28 weeks. https://www.gov.uk/statutory-sick-pay

On top of the SSP you can look at claiming Universal Credit but whether you’ll qualify will depend on your circumstances. If you live with a partner you claim as a couple. If you have savings/capital of more than £16,000 you’ll be excluded from claiming. 

A claim for UC will end any tax credit you may already be claiming. Use a benefit calculator to check entitlement. https://www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator/Intro/Home?cid=d7a3a158-f646-4ad4-9e3a-e7d5b1216717
If you claim UC you should report your health condition and send in fit notes from your GP.
PIP is a disability benefit, which isn’t means tested. It’s not awarded based on any diagnosis, it’s how those conditions affect you against the PIP descriptors. See link https://pipinfo.net/
A claim for PIP could potentially take about 10 months. 

Hi. Thanks for the info. My employer knows what is happening and they are doing all they can. They would let me reduce my hours but I would not be able to manage financially if there are no benefits available to me. I am in process of claiming PIP for the second time. Last year I was awarded 0 points. I felt that they either ignored or didn't understand at all what I am dealing with. I do have a blue badge. I am a single person with no savings. I rely a lot on my daughter to help me. I've just paid for my bathroom to be totally refitted with larger walk in shower, grab rail and seat. Using a bath is now impossible for me. Also changed car in April to automatic and higher to help getting in and out

poppy123456

Use a benefits calculator to check entitlement to Universal Credit. Put different figures in as if you're reducing your hours.https://www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator/Intro/Home?cid=ee5f213d-0623-492d-bbec-c20ecfdfe524

If you work less than 16 hours @NMW when claiming UC you can report your health condition and send in fit notes to start the work capability assessment process off.If you work more than 16 hours then you won't be able to be referred for the work capability assessment unless you have a PIP award.

With regards to the PIP, when you applied last time and were refused, did you challenge that decision? If you didn't was there any reasons why? To constantly reapply using the same evidence you previously used will likely see another refusal. If you're refused again this time then i'd advise you to request the Mandatory Reconsideration (MR) then Tribunal, if needed.

Getting some expert advice regarding the PIP would also help. Start here for that. https://advicelocal.uk/

Or the SSP route as advised above, with UC and report your health condition when claiming UC.

Edit to add, if entitled to SSP then 3 months before it ends if you've paid enough NI cxontributions in the previous 2 tax years then you'll be able to claim New style ESA, with a fit note. You won't receive payment until the SSP ends. If you claim both ESA and UC together the ESA will be deducted in full from any UC entitlement.

hovegate

poppy123456 said:

Use a benefits calculator to check entitlement to Universal Credit. Put different figures in as if you're reducing your hours.https://www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator/Intro/Home?cid=ee5f213d-0623-492d-bbec-c20ecfdfe524

If you work less than 16 hours @NMW when claiming UC you can report your health condition and send in fit notes to start the work capability assessment process off.If you work more than 16 hours then you won't be able to be referred for the work capability assessment unless you have a PIP award.

With regards to the PIP, when you applied last time and were refused, did you challenge that decision? If you didn't was there any reasons why? To constantly reapply using the same evidence you previously used will likely see another refusal. If you're refused again this time then i'd advise you to request the Mandatory Reconsideration (MR) then Tribunal, if needed.

Getting some expert advice regarding the PIP would also help. Start here for that. https://advicelocal.uk/

Or the SSP route as advised above, with UC and report your health condition when claiming UC.

Edit to add, if entitled to SSP then 3 months before it ends if you've paid enough NI cxontributions in the previous 2 tax years then you'll be able to claim New style ESA, with a fit note. You won't receive payment until the SSP ends. If you claim both ESA and UC together the ESA will be deducted in full from any UC entitlement.

Thanks for all the info. I have never had to consider claiming for benefits before so all new to me and I don't know what is available. I didn't challenge PIP last time but since then I have had the liver disease and arthritis diagnosed. Sent in letters confirming all this. Also looking into grant to have extension to house for down stairs bedroom and shower room as stairs difficult and to be honest afraid especially after already having 1 fall down them and fracturing my foot.

If I understand this correctly I could reduce my hours to 16 per week and claim UC? Or would I need to finish my current job totally?

calcotti

hovegate said:If I understand this correctly I could reduce my hours to 16 per week and claim UC? Or would I need to finish my current job totally?

Lots of people work and claim Universal Credit - it is a means tested people for people on a low income for whatever reason. What you are entitled to depends on your financial circumstances. As suggested by poppy, you can use a benefits calculator to get an idea of what your entitlement might be.

The issue of 16 hours is just that if you are earning more than 16 hours x NMW then, even if you report a health condition, you will not be referred for a Work Capability Assessment unless you are receiving PIP.

poppy123456

hovegate said:

poppy123456 said:

Use a benefits calculator to check entitlement to Universal Credit. Put different figures in as if you're reducing your hours.https://www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator/Intro/Home?cid=ee5f213d-0623-492d-bbec-c20ecfdfe524

If you work less than 16 hours @NMW when claiming UC you can report your health condition and send in fit notes to start the work capability assessment process off.If you work more than 16 hours then you won't be able to be referred for the work capability assessment unless you have a PIP award.

With regards to the PIP, when you applied last time and were refused, did you challenge that decision? If you didn't was there any reasons why? To constantly reapply using the same evidence you previously used will likely see another refusal. If you're refused again this time then i'd advise you to request the Mandatory Reconsideration (MR) then Tribunal, if needed.

Getting some expert advice regarding the PIP would also help. Start here for that. https://advicelocal.uk/

Or the SSP route as advised above, with UC and report your health condition when claiming UC.

Edit to add, if entitled to SSP then 3 months before it ends if you've paid enough NI cxontributions in the previous 2 tax years then you'll be able to claim New style ESA, with a fit note. You won't receive payment until the SSP ends. If you claim both ESA and UC together the ESA will be deducted in full from any UC entitlement.

I didn't challenge PIP last time but since then I have had the liver disease and arthritis diagnosed. Sent in letters confirming all this.

PIP isn't about a diagnosis, it's how those conditions affect you against the PIP descriptors.