Terminal illness - going off sick

[certainagedwoman]

My wonderful DH has stage 4 cancer. Up until very recently he's managed to keep working with very little time off sick (as he works from home so can take some time out during the day when he's feeling ill and catch up later, plus a lot of his hospital appointments have been on his day off). His work have been very supportive - they know he's not going to recover and have been fine with him resting whenever he needs to),

It's now getting to the stage where the time might come soon when he can no longer work and wouldn't be likely to return to work.

He gets x no of months paid sick leave, not sure what happens after that.

My question is, what happens when he gets to that stage? Does he just call in sick as normal and let them know daily/weekly that he's still too ill to work? Or does he, when it gets to that point, tell them that he's now going off sick and will very likely not be returning?

Will his GP write him a sick cert for say a month at a time if we just ask them to? Or does the hospital doctor do this?

Sorry, these must sound like stupid questions but I'm overwhelmed with everything right now, and want to make sure I know what we're doing when the time comes.

I thought someone either similar experiences or eg who works in HR might be able to help.

I'm so sorry.

Yes I would have thought for now he just calls in sick, his GP will write him a note.

Just make sure he doesn't resign as that may affect your survival benefits.

I'm really sorry about your DH.

In my place of work, we would manage the sickness absence in accordance with our policy and, in this case, it would likely result in retirement on ill health grounds. I would begin by googling his pension company and their early retirement because of health policy and reading about that.

I agree about not resigning. That's really important.

https://www.gov.uk/early-retirement-pension/personal-and-workplace-pensions

Sorry, this must be awful.
I’ve not got anything more to add expect maybe speak to his company and see they can offer.

I'd be wary of taking early retirement on health grounds too unless you run out of options - it will depend on the scheme and the company, but the benefits you receive would likely be significantly less if he retired. For example, if there's a death in service lump sum of 3 times salary (or whatever), you wouldn't get that if he had retired.

Read all the paperwork, figure out exactly what you would get in each situation and take it from there.

Thanks. Good point about not resigning

Re his pension, he's not got a big pension pot (less than £10k and prior to that he was self employed with no pension) as he's only worked for this organisation for a few years. He's already made enquiries about opting out of the workplace pension and getting all the money now as a lump sum due to ill health.

When he is too ill for work he can get signed of sick with doctor. Usually a sick note every six weeks. Keep handing this into employer. He will get his sick pay. Look into claiming based esa. Look into claiming pip. Get in touch with Macmillan for advice how to fill in the forms.
If sick pay is low you could claim universal credit especially if paying rent.

In same position. I get six monthly lines from GP. Definitely do not resign and get in touch with McMillan Money Jatters who can check what benefits you are entitled to. I get ADP £181 a fortnight and EESA £183 a fortnight and DH gets carers allowance £160 a fortnight. Also by remaining employed my employer continues to contribute to my pension and DH will also get a 'death in service pay out'. I also still get half pay (been off 18 months).Obviously not about the money but it means no qualms about having heating on etc

Hi @certainagedwoman , my husband was diagnosed with stage 3b non Hodgkin’s lymphoma in February this year, he’s in remission now, he had to get fit notes from his GP on a month by month basis, the company he works for, paid six months full pay and six months half pay. His line manager would message him every week for an update, he still hasn’t gone back to work as he doesn’t feel strong enough or mentally capable as he drives HGV lorries and the chemotherapy took its toll on his overall health. Hope this helps, sending hugs and kisses to you and your husband xx

Sorry to hear this. The GP will write a sick note. The company will have to pay Statutory Sick Pay for six months minimum (previous sickness can link into this period if it was within 12 weeks or so I think). Depending on contractual conditions the company may top his SSP up to full or part pay or have company sick carry on after SSP period ends. When SSP ends should claim ESA from government, even if company still paying.

As he is terminal you should claim PIP for him under special rules - GP will provide a certificate for this and means most of form doesn't need filled in. PIP is not means tested. If you are not working or working less than 16 hours and earning below LEL (about £160ish I think) you can claim Carers Allowance for looking after him. Please look at GOV website for rates. Hospital may have advisers to assist on this.

Sorry about the absolute shit shit shit situation, and also so sorry to be so blunt. Does he not have salary continuance or life insurance as part of work pension? In my experience (filling out/signing paperwork for people), salary continuance kicks in after not being able to work for 12 weeks BUT is dependant on being able to return. The life insurance component of pension is when you are expected to depart within 12 months and in that case they will pay out early ‘in advance’ while still alive so people don’t have to worry about not working, can organise financial affairs in advance etc.

Again, I’m so sorry, you are in this situation.

Get some advice, either his union or citizens advice. But it's probably beta not to leave his job as there could be a death in service benefit (I'm so sorry!).

His doctor should sign him off sick, a good one will give him a lengthy sick note, likely a few months at a time.

One his company sick pay period runs out he'll move onto statutory sick pay.

Thanks everyone

Lots to look into

His employer pays x no of months (3 I believe) at full pay, but presumably they would take off from this any sick days he's had in the last year. After that, would employer have to pay statutory sick pay for the remainder of his life?

I currently work part time (WFH) and would hope to continue that (also have very very supportive management, thank Gid6

No, once his statutory sick pay runs out he’ll claim ESA as a replacement

also he can claim PIP right away, if you’re not already doing so.

McMillan or Maggies or one of the other associated charities can help with the process if you need it.

HI OP, I work in HR.

Does your DH have an HR department he can speak to? Companies can vary in terms of top up to SSP and it will depend on their sickness absence policy. For now, he can be signed off by a GP and just needs to keep his work informed and keep passing the sick notes on.

It may be useful (if there is an HR department) to agree which HR member of staff will be his key contact if he has questions and for the purpose of checking in. If he gives permission, they can speak to you if he is too unwell to speak to them himself. We keep this info and his consent on file.

Like others have said, he mustn't resign. He should continue accruing time in service with his employer. You can speak to them about making arrangements for paying him any accrued holiday he has either as lump sums or in installments if that helps.

I am very sorry you are going through this. I have dealt with employees in similar situations and would hope that any organisation would try to do their utmost best by you both and advise you on maximising financial benefits.

Sadly had the same thing 9 years ago. Macmillan sorted out the PIP form, are you in contact with them or any other cancer society?

Thanks again - will definitely make sure he doesn't resign

Will also call MacMillan money line at some point

I've just checked his pension paperwork and the death in service payout is just the total amount that's in his pot, so I guess it doesn't make a lot of difference if he cashes that in now (had some forms to be signed by GP)

At the moment he's still working, but bar a miracle, things are only going to get worse from now on. He's on the last possible treatment (a brand new drug still within the UK NHS drug licensing process that he's got access to from the drug company on compassionate grounds) and there are signs that it's stopped working..,

I’m really sorry. It’s a lot of deal with and money isn’t what you want to concentrate on at this time.

Benefit wise he should look at PIP and ESA.
PIP has a ‘fast track’ system in place for people like your DH.

I'm so sorry.