Advise please? Currently working full time but really struggling and don’t know what to do.

pinklady1971

Hi everyone. I currently work in an office full time. Employer has made quite a few reasonable adjustments over the last few years and allows me to work from home part of the week to help with pain management. However I am really struggling now with this arrangement and deteriorating fast so need to consider other options. Various medical conditions mean finding another job is going to be really tricky. 

Anyone else been in this position recently? Would I be better to hand notice in and go onto benefits…and if so what am I likely to get? Or would I be better going off long term sick until the company let me go? Or something else? I’ve always worked so not very experienced with the benefit system and applying for pip was so difficult and stressful. Not to mention long winded as it was over 18 months before I received any pip money. 

Any advice would be very gratefully received! 

Thanks.
ps I have tried calling scope and citizens advice helplines but they were both busy and not taking messages  

janer1967

Hi and welcome to the community 

My advice as an experienced hr manager is not to resign go long term sick and get any sick pay you are entitled to and ssp 

The company should have a medical dismissal procedure which it would be worth looking at 

Some companies pay a severance payment for medical though this is not a legal requirement 

Other option if you have a pension is ill health retirement but this needs careful consideration and would affect future benefit entitlement 

Once ssp is due to end you maybe able to claim new style esa if you have enough ni contributions and will need ssp1 form from your employer and fit note 

Or there is uc but all depends on your circumstances try a benefits calculator to see what you could claim there is one on gov website 

Alex_Alumni

Hello there @pinklady1971 and welcome to the community. Thanks for reaching out, I can understand that things must be feeling quite stressful at the moment, so I hope we can help you feel welcome and supported.

I hope janer1967 has been able to help clarify some things, and as she mentioned, it might be worth looking at a benefits calculator to see what you might be entitled to if you decide to look into Universal Credit.

However I am really struggling now with this arrangement and deteriorating fast so need to consider other options.

Can you tell me if you've spoken to your GP about the changes in your conditions? Do you feel like you're getting enough support to manage generally day-to-day?

It sounds as though your work have been able to accommodate your needs, and I would hope everyone you work with has been understanding too, but in case you have any concerns, Scope has information on managing attitudes to disability at work, and talking about your condition. Please do have a look if you feel it would be useful.

I am sorry to hear that the helplines you've contacted are busy at the moment, but please don't be put off calling if you'd find speaking to someone helpful.

Let us know if you feel we can help further, and you are welcome to have a browse of the community if you'd like to join in with any discussions.

Alex

poppy123456

SSP needs to be claimed first from your employer. You can use a benefits calculator to check entitlement to Universal Credit but if you live with a partner you claim as a couple. If you have savings/capital of more than £16,000 you're excluded from claiming. https://www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator/Intro/Home?cid=02fa2b8f-acba-4996-8986-d30bf5a18cee

You can also look at Personal Independence Payment (PIP) It's not means tested so other income/savings do not affect the amount you maybe entitled to. It's not about your ability to work or about a diagnosis. It's how your conditions affect you against the 12 PIP activities. https://pipinfo.net/

pinklady1971

Thanks for your comments so far. I don’t have savings or a partner and I do currently get pip. I do get good support from my GP and hospital/specialist clinics. 

Alex_Alumni

You're welcome @pinklady1971 I'm glad to hear that you're getting good support from everyone involved in your care That really makes a positive difference.

Keep us updated with how you get on, and if you need anything in the meantime.

janer1967

Could you reduce your hours and work part time

SueHeath

Hi @pinklady1971 welcome to our great group.
You have had advice from very reliable members they are well in the kno.
I have been of work now for nearly a year now, i went through my sick, which has just come to an end, i have just applied for new style esa. I have not long been granted pip. Like you i have never claimed anything in my life, this group have helped me enormously with their advise.
I must add every one i have had to deal with so far have been lovely, including my own firms hr.

pinklady1971

Reducing my hours would definately help with pain management but I’m not sure how I would cope with paying all my bills. I wasn’t sure if I would be eligible for any help like universal credit if I chose to reduce my hours. Does anyone know? 

poppy123456

pinklady1971 said:

Reducing my hours would definately help with pain management but I’m not sure how I would cope with paying all my bills. I wasn’t sure if I would be eligible for any help like universal credit if I chose to reduce my hours. Does anyone know? 

That's impossible to give any advice with no information. Did you use the benefits calculators above as advised? If not, then please do this. Please be aware that claiming UC doens't take into consideration any bills you have to pay.

You can report a health condition with a fit note from your GP if you claim this and then go through the work capability assessment. If you're then found to have either limited Capability for work then you'll have the work allowance, which means part of your earnings will be ignored before the 55% earnings taper applies.

If found to have Limited Capability for work Related Activity then you'll be entitled to extra money from the 4th month of your claim.

janer1967

Use the calculator to put in different options eg earnings for working 3 days for example then you fan see what if any uc you would be entitled to 

You can also get a benefits check from a local advice centre