To think I can't afford to be ill?

[BeatItBarry]

Going through a really really hard time right now, I wont go into it all but I've been off work now since the beginning of Feb and have been signed off until the end of March.

I just don't have a choice but to go back to work. I'm not ready, my husband, my counsellor, my GP all think I'm not ready but I feel like I have no other option. We cannot afford to live on SSP.

Am I the only one who feels like they just can't afford to be ill? I know it'll do me no good going back to work tomorrow but I feel I have no other choice.

Not really, he's pretty much at full capacity as it is

I'm hmming and ahhhing about going in tomorrow. I know I'll get no sleep tonight though worrying about it. God this is just so horrible.

Morning all,

Another question for you all...

I've just spoken to work and asked if I could try to come back tomorrow starting with half days.

They have said they are concerned that I'm not fit enough to be in work and so will have to discuss it today to see whether it's appropriate for me to come back before my note.

I'm guessing there's literally nothing I can do if work won't let me back before my note is up?

It sounds as though the ball is in their court. Which, to honest, I'm pleased about for your sake.

Try to rest today and put work to the back of your mind.

For immediate help- could you go to a food bank, that should save quite a bit of money whilst you're off.

Have you checked benefits entitlement?

Complicated and difficult situation. You say your DH is working at full capacity - is his business suitably profitable?

If not, would he be better off closing his business either temporarily or permanently and seeking employment instead? Or could you work with him either to expand capacity, or assist him in some way so he has more time to do income earning work?

Barbara, it is profitable yes. But we just had a MASSIVE tax and VAT bill to pay which has put us on the backfoot a little. Hopefully it will build back up quickly so that would help. It's all just rubbish timing.

I think that's what we're going to have to do for a while, me help DH with the business so we can maximize it whilst I'm off.

I'm sure we will survive but it's very daunting (and doesn't help recovery much!).