Planning Ahead for Possible Inability To Work

MJoanna

Hi there, 

My story is a bit unusual, so please bear with me. 

I'm suffering from what is now extreme pain and a host of other symptoms that I have been carrying for the last 3.5 years. 

While I'm in the process of being tested and there are some issues in the bloods, I'm yet to go fully through the MSK triage process, which is long overdue. 

The root cause is unknown, though I suspect, based on the prescribed Diazepam that for some, can cause terrible problems that mimic chronic illness - https://www.benzoinfo.com/2018/04/28/how-benzodiazepines-mimic-chronic-illness-and-what-to-do-about-it/

I have tapered off half of my dose, but stopped 2 years ago because I was in a huge amount of debt (business tax debt and personal debt). Because I own a portion of the property my Mother lives in (join ownership), if I had gone bankrupt there was every chance the property would have been at risk (this is in part due to the nature of my debts at the time, which I won't get into here).

My work in the technology/marketing space goes back 14 years and I have a very solid background and good resume, with lots of good experience. 

Even before Covid, I was working fully from home via my Limited Company of which I am the only employee.

Right now I work within IR35 as a contractor.

My business is on payment plans for corporation tax. Because of a crime I was a victim of, HMRC gave my company 10 years to pay back a year's corporation tax while I was paying off a shark loan that put the company in question on the deed of my Mother's home (I do not live there and the (£18K) debt is paid off. 

My company has a tax bill to pay soon of £6.5K which on the basis of my current holdings and earnings through the next 6 months (the length of my current contract) I should be able to meet and still save. 

The issue is that my symptoms have gotten so bad that I am now thinking that the only way to get better is to get off the mediation (slowly and safely) and that in order to do that, I may have to stop working. 

My Mother and the rest of my family and I have no contact.

I have no support. 

To complicate things, I currently live in a Guardianship, whereby I live in this place officially in order to look after it while paying a lesser fee. The building is due to be knocked down later this year, so I may have to move anyway.

The medical process is ongoing and may take time before I get a formal diagnosis (if at all), as right now I only have chronic fatigue on my file (it's way more than that in actuality). 

Previously I wanted to think I could soldier on and find a way to work less and somehow get off the medication and or recover however I can. 

I also have a ton of trauma and mental health issues once again associated with the medication, but also from events in my life. 

I am often suicidal. I hang on by a thread. 

Can anyone give me an idea of how I could start planning? 

One idea I have is to save up as much as possible for the next 5 months or so, move out (assuming I can find a cheap tenancy) and then go on UC and try to get housing benefit etc.

If I can still work and keep myself going I will, but things are getting to bad, I'm starting to think it may not be possible. 

I've read some scary things about the likelihood of getting housed if I can't be on the private market and if I became homeless in my state, well, I won't say anymore.

poppy123456

Hi,
New claims for housing benefit are no longer possible for working age people unless in supported or temporary housing. You would need to claim Universal Credit, which can include housing element for help with the rent.
However, because it’s a means tested benefit if you have savings/capital of more than £16,000 you’re excluded from claiming. 

There’s a £4.35 per week deduction for every £250 or part there of over £6,000.
New style ESA would be possible if you’re no longer able to work and you’ve paid the correct amount of NI contributions in the previous 2 tax years. If you claim both of those together the ESA would be redoing full from the UC.
PIP is a disability benefit that isn’t means tested. It’s not based on any diagnosis, what matters is how your conditions affect you against the PIP descriptors. See link https://pipinfo.net/
You’re right about social housing, being single with no dependent children will make it more difficult. 

MJoanna

"You’re right about social housing, being single with no dependent children will make it more difficult."

Thanks, 

When you said the above, does having a disability or any medical issues mitigate the problem of being single with no dependent in relation to getting housing?

Do you know how I could start trying to figure out the housing side of things? 

With regards to New style ESA, I've had my income tax and NI taken out through self  assesement for 6 years until last summer when I've been PAYE.

poppy123456

Medical conditions and disabilities doesn’t automatically entitle you to social housing. You could put your name down on the social housing list in your area. Other than that it would be private renting.

janer1967

Hi and welcome to the community 

To start the housing process I suggest you refer yourself for a care needs assessment through the gov website 

An ot will assess your cars and housing needs and make recommendations they will report any needs to council which can sometimes give you a higher banding 

However priority housing is given to homeless and those with children 

If you have a roof over your head you won't be put in the priority band 

MJoanna

poppy123456 said:

Medical conditions and disabilities doesn’t automatically entitle you to social housing. You could put your name down on the social housing list in your area. Other than that it would be private renting.

My projection right now is that I might end up in a situation where I am in private rental, but may end up incapacitated. 

It's that situation I'm trying to understand where private renting would be in place but I may run out of income. 

MJoanna

janer1967 said:

Hi and welcome to the community 

To start the housing process I suggest you refer yourself for a care needs assessment through the gov website 

An ot will assess your cars and housing needs and make recommendations they will report any needs to council which can sometimes give you a higher banding 

However priority housing is given to homeless and those with children 

If you have a roof over your head you won't be put in the priority band I'm

I have an OT coming and will follow up on that as you suggest.

MJoanna

How can people who are incapacitated not be prioritised? What happens to ill people who can't work and can't pay their rent? They just end up on the streets with whatever horrible illnesses they have??

MJoanna

I just found this https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/homelessness/priority_need/health_condition_or_disability

You have a health condition or disability

You have a priority need if you're vulnerable because of a disability or health condition.

The council decides if you're vulnerable.

You need to show you would be much more vulnerable than most people if you were homeless, and likely to suffer more harm in the same situation.

poppy123456

Unfortunately Janer is correct priority is given to homeless people and those with children. It’s because of the shortage of social housing properties right across the country.

Alex_Alumni

Hello @MJoanna and welcome to the community, I hope you've been finding it supportive. 

Thanks so much for reaching out last night, that's a really positive step to help yourself get advice and support.

You mention what to come off your current medication, slowly and safely, is this something you've been able to talk about with your GP? You should definitely raise the concerns with them you have about the impact your medication is having on your health and wellbeing if you can. 

Thank you for sharing that this is also affecting your mental health, to help support you I'd like to share some organisations which may be able to help:

• Call Samaritans anytime on 116 123 to talk about things, or email jo@samaritans.org

• Text 'SHOUT' to 85258 for help right now if you'd prefer a texting service

• Mind's information on how to help when you aren't feeling safe gives you practical steps

Sometimes talking about how you are feeling can be really helpful, and it's something you've already done on this forum. If you ever feel like you're in immediate danger then please call 999 right away.

You've also mentioned you've got some concerns about the likelihood of getting priority housing, and while our members are correct in saying that those with children or who are homeless are more likely to be prioritised, that doesn't mean that you won't also qualify. The availability of housing also varies depending on your local council, but do not be put off from applying if you feel you qualify. You might like to visit AdviceLocal to seek out professional advice too. 

I can see that you've searched around and found information on this already, that's really proactive. As Janer1967 suggests a really good thing to do would be to refer yourself for a needs assessment. It's also really promising that you have an OT coming, do keep us updated with how that goes. 

If you feel we can support you further with anything then please do say, and keep us up to date with how you get on, remember you're not alone in this.

Alex

MJoanna

poppy123456 said:

Unfortunately Janer is correct priority is given to homeless people and those with children. It’s because of the shortage of social housing properties right across the country.

Thanks Janer. I do understand this, it's just that I'm anticipating being in a near homeless situation at some point in the future, though it's not immediate or certain. 

When we say that priority is given to homeless people, how do tenants who rent privately who become unable to work treated in this regard? Are you saying that the system waits for the person to be on the streets before prioritising them? Even if they are not well enough to walk properly etc?

MJoanna

Alex_Scope said:

Hello @MJoanna and welcome to the community, I hope you've been finding it supportive. 

Thanks so much for reaching out last night, that's a really positive step to help yourself get advice and support.

You mention what to come off your current medication, slowly and safely, is this something you've been able to talk about with your GP? You should definitely raise the concerns with them you have about the impact your medication is having on your health and wellbeing if you can. 

Thank you for sharing that this is also affecting your mental health, to help support you I'd like to share some organisations which may be able to help:

• Call Samaritans anytime on 116 123 to talk about things, or email jo@samaritans.org

• Text 'SHOUT' to 85258 for help right now if you'd prefer a texting service

• Mind's information on how to help when you aren't feeling safe gives you practical steps

Sometimes talking about how you are feeling can be really helpful, and it's something you've already done on this forum. If you ever feel like you're in immediate danger then please call 999 right away.

You've also mentioned you've got some concerns about the likelihood of getting priority housing, and while our members are correct in saying that those with children or who are homeless are more likely to be prioritised, that doesn't mean that you won't also qualify. The availability of housing also varies depending on your local council, but do not be put off from applying if you feel you qualify. You might like to visit AdviceLocal to seek out professional advice too. 

I can see that you've searched around and found information on this already, that's really proactive. As Janer1967 suggests a really good thing to do would be to refer yourself for a needs assessment. It's also really promising that you have an OT coming, do keep us updated with how that goes. 

If you feel we can support you further with anything then please do say, and keep us up to date with how you get on, remember you're not alone in this.

Alex

Hi Alex and thank you. 

I will definitely do the needs assessment next week and follow up all the things I have to do, as one thing I do have is some buffer of time to do this, as I'm not yet in the situation I envisage. 

Nevertheless, in order to recover, I will probably need to stop working or massively decrease my income and stress levels. 

As for my GP, they are very supportive in prescribing me and now helping get all the other medical tests I need, but it's up to me to come off the medication and if I did that too quickly, or at all while working in my demanding job, I might just fall apart, as it's that hard.

I'll come back here when I learn more and am very grateful to you and all who have replied. 

Joanna

janer1967

Hi 

If you have been given notice from your landlord about leaving the property you then need to contact the homeless team of your local council and as long as the reason you are being evicted isn't your fault eg due to anti social behaviour or maybe not paying rent they will then put you on priority list 

This can however mean moving to temp accommodation until somewhere is available 

If you end up not being able to work it doesn't mean you can't get help towards your rent payments enabling you to stay in your current property . It all depends on your entitlement to benefits 

There is a charity called SHELTER for help for potential homeless 

It is hard to get social housing but no impossible have you registered it maybe worth just getting on list now and you can update your status as your circumstances change 

Alex_Alumni

Thank you for explaining @MJoanna we'll look forward to hearing more when you can update us, and I hope you can enjoy this Easter weekend however you celebrate it.

Janer has mentioned Shelter, which is an excellent recommendation, and great to go to for advice and support about both housing and  homelessness. 

Let me know if anything else comes up in the meantime, and we'll do what we can to help.

Alex_Alumni

Hi @MJoanna how have you been getting on since last week? 

MJoanna

Alex_Scope said:

Hi @MJoanna how have you been getting on since last week? 

Hi Alex,

Thanks so much for replying - sorry, I had missed your reply as it didn't come up.

Right now I've been given notice that we have to leave by the 26th of September. I'm trying to work out what to do, because staying in my GP's catchment area would be ideal, but it's in NW6 which is very, very expensive. Still working from home, not left the house for 10 days, ordering groceries online etc.

I haven't done the needs assessment yet and had actually forgotten, so perhaps I should do that. 

Also waiting for get to see Rheumatology for its own sake and also, it may bolster my case. 

Have asked for PIP forms, but they have not arrived yet. 

Tapering my medication, struggling a great deal. 

Getting an OT doesn't seem to make sense, as I'll not be here for more than a few months.

Called Shelter, they suggested private rental, so back to square one in that sense. 

One important thing is that I found out that I can't get on the housing list for Camden until early next year, when I will have been in the borough for 5 years, so the idea of staying here until then makes sense, IF I stand a chance of getting social housing - otherwise it's a huge waste of money and I would only be able to afford something tiny and I'm not sure how long for.

I'll keep you posted and so grateful that you checked in.

Joanna 

Alex_Alumni

You're welcome @MJoanna and thank you for such a detailed reply, please do keep us updated. 

If you need a hand with applying for a needs assessment then please do ask, and we'll see what we can do to help. 

I'm sorry to hear you're struggling with tapering you medication, is your GP aware of how you're feeling?

I hope that you are able to resolve this situation as smoothly as possible, and in the meantime, please do use the community for support when you need it