Hi, my name is Hayley. Will I be worse off financially if I quit work?

Halebop

im currently working 19 hours a week as a pa to a disabled man-but due to my recent ill health, several medical conditions (I now receive pip standard rate for both) I’m due to see my GP tomorrow and we were discussing about me going on long term sick for foreseeable. My boss is the man’s parents and social services pay her and she pays me. They  will need to  get a replacement for me and can’t see me working again due to constant pain and possibly some operations in the future. I’m confused as to whether I’ll get sick pay ? I’m currently on UC due to being a single parent of 2. Also could I apply for ESA and LWCRA? Would sick pay stop or should I just quit work etc. It’s all very confusing ! Just want to know if I’m going to be worse off financially. Thanks in advance 

poppy123456

As you are already claiming UC you can report a change of circumstances and report your health condition. You will then need a fit note within 7 days of this and continue to send fit notes until a decision is made on your work capability assessment. 

If you’re found to have LCWRA you will be entitled to an extra £354/month from the 4th month after you reported your health condition.
To claim New style ESA you must have paid the correct amount of NI contributions in tax years April 2019 to March 2021. You will need a fit note.
However there’s no financial gain to claiming both together because the ESA will be deducted in full from any UC entitlement. It’s still worth claiming it though because it’s not means tested and it also pays class 1 NI credits and UC only pays class 3.

Cher_Alumni

@Halebop Hello and a warm welcome to Scope. How are you doing?

I'm sorry to hear about the situation with your health at the moment and understand you wanting to focus on getting treated. I hope Poppy's advice has in some way alleviated your fears about being worse off. Please let us know.

Just to advise: I've moved your thread to our Benefits and financial support category and amended the title slightly to let others better find it and reply.

All the best and hoping you begin to feel better soon.

calcotti

Halebop said:

I’m confused as to whether I’ll get sick pay ? 

If you were earning £123/week with an employment contract you are entitled to SSP paid for by your employer for 28 weeks. You cannot receive ESA while getting SSP but you can start the LCWRA process for UC.

If you give up your employment then you will not get SSP. Financially you are better off getting your 28 weeks of SSP before stopping your job (but still report the health condition to UC).

Paying you SSP will be a cost to your employer so if you don't want to impose these costs on them you would need to leave your job - but this is financially to you disadvantage.