Hi, my name is robbo6661! If I leave work what benefits could I get?

robbo6661

Since 2014 I have had 2 heart attacks the most recent in Oct 2019 and on Jan 4 this year had a minor stroke which I am recovering from.with this in 2004 I had a fall from about 3 metres damaging my back (slipped discs X 2),also diagnosed with Phd...and blood clots in my legs.also suffer badly with anxiety.
Whilest the people I work for have been unbelievably great with me and been with them for around 5 years I fear my time here maybe coming to an end as you have to be fit to do the job I'm employed to do.
Basically if I'm let go what benefits would I be best or could I get.
Many thanks

Robbo

bg844

Hi @robbo6661

As you will be aware there’s many different benefits for many different reasons and you have to meet the criteria to qualify for each benefit, the main ones for disabled people are Personal Independence Payment (PIP), New-Style Employment and Support Allowance and Universal Credit. For PIP you can also work and claim as it is not means tested, however, it is a points based benefit e.g. 8 points Standard rate, 12+ points = Enhanced rate. As you have been in work for longer than 2 years it is most likely you are entitled to New Style ESA which pays Class 1 NI and doesn’t have strict savings rules like Universal Credit does, be aware the backlogs are huge for all of these so you may be waiting longer than a year to be assessed. You do not need a fit note for PIP but will for ESA and UC. Universal Credits can help with housing costs, if any. I’m sure you’ll get better advice from other members but I’m saddened to hear you’re unwell.

All the best.

Ross_Alumni

Hello @robbo6661

Wishing you a warm welcome to the community, how are you today?

You've clearly been through a lot, and I thank you for speaking so honestly and openly about it all. It's good that your employer has been really supportive throughout, that must have made you very grateful.

Regarding benefits, have you considered filling out a benefits calculator? It would involve filling out some information about your situation, and would provide some estimations about what you could be entitled to, but it would purely be estimations and wouldn't guarantee anything. You can use a calculator here by Turn2Us.

Scope also have an information page about stopping work due to your health, which you can read here.

poppy123456

First thing you need to look at is SSP which is payable for 28 weeks from your employer, which they must pay you. https://www.gov.uk/statutory-sick-pay/eligibility

Whether you're entitled to Universal Credit as well as this will totally depend on your financial circumstances. As UC is means tested if you live with a partner you claim as a couple. You can report a health conditon when you claim and send in fit notes from your GP which will start the work capability assessment process off.

If you're claiming either tax credits or housing benefit, a claim for UC will end these but housing benefit will continue for a further 2 weeks.

3 months before your SSP ends you can claim New style ESA but you won't receive any payments until your SSP has ended. You will need your SSP1 form and a fit note from your GP to claim this.

If you claim both of those together the ESA will be deducted in full from any UC entitlement.

Before quiting work you should get some expert advice from ACAS.

sben

I will go to citizens advice bureaux.
Tell them every thing in detail, and let them help you fill out forms.
There are odd things you might be able to claim: 

Medical exeption card for free medication
Bus pass
Discount train fare

But speak to citizens advice bureaux about all of that.

janer1967

Hi and welcome 

I would advise nor to quit your job but to research what your future options are with regards to continuing work 

Your company should have policy in place for medical dismissal or ill health retirement if in a pension  

Ask to be referred to oh for a work place assessment and they will then recommend any reasonable adjustments or future options about your employment 

robbo6661

Hi.thanks for your comments.taking all inti consideration.janer I don't want to quit work but due to the manual handling side plus the main part which is driving and my mental state of mind they may consider me unfit to do the job

calcotti

https://www.acas.org.uk/capability-procedures

poppy123456

Thanks Calcotti, I forgot to put the link because I got side tracked.