advise on benefits/support.

sarahanne,

I think I've answered most of your questions on your previous post but just to say, yes if your statutory sick pay (SSP) is finishing then do claim ESA once SSP comes to an end. You will need to provide sick notes from your GP.  Once you reach the assessment, you can get points within ESA for problems with coping with change and with getting stuff done ('initiating personal action'). Of course we can't say definitively but you may get enough points (15 or more) once you are assessed. You can claim for at least 13 weeks before being assessed.

It doesn't matter whether you stay signed off from work or hand in your notice. As long as your SSP has stopped, you can claim ESA. Being employed or not isn't particularly relevant. You might want to get advice elsewhere on your employment options, as resigning may not be the best option if you think you might want to work somewhere else in the future - on the other hand, it would stop your employer from going for what's called a 'capability' dismissal.

As well as ESA, which might be based on your national insurance contributions if you've been working for a while, I would look at PIP, and perhaps other help if you are on a low income. You can start a benefit check here.

Will