To wonder how you get by on SSP?

[CanItReallyBeSo]

Posting for traffic...

Mate of mine has chopped off the end of several fingers at work and been off for three weeks now. Going to be a few more as needs an op and his job is quite physical (construction).

He told me today he's only getting SSP which would go on for up to three months, although he shouldn't be off that long. Looking online it's only £88 a week and taxable. His monthly mortgage is £1200.

How do people with a normal lifestyle get by in the fallout to an industrial accident? Seems only option is using savings or accruing debt. Even UC isn't much extra I'm assuming.

I agree. Mates or not - this is a life changing accident that is going to cost him many thousands of pounds. He needs to claim, and his mate will need to use his insurance.

But also, employers should do the decent thing and pay more than SSP.

I pay a mo the policy that pays 80% of my wage if I'm off sick as I only get SSP in my workplace

Why so?

Surely the mate can claim on his business insurance without any need to go to court.

If he's a true friend anyway

I can't get it due to an underlying medical condition.

Everyone should be able to get it, this is legal disability discrimination.

Many people can’t afford income protection and critical illness cover or have significant savings. I have 2 friends that had cancer and heart problems young which has made life insurance premiums prohibitively expensive.

Everyone has access to it - there are policies that are non medically underwritten for those with serious conditions that are uninsurable. Sounds like you need a good broker.

I think he should claim as business should have insurance. I get that it might be awkward but he's in a horrible situation and needs to access any help he can.

I once knew someone who invited a group (think church flower arrangers) to a coffee and cake round her house. One woman fell down the step and claimed against her house insurance and it did cause chaos within the group. I think that was too far though. Workplace is different

Young? Before 18? This is why I'm taking out cover for my kids and paying it for them from 18 so they have cover.

In their early 20s. Most 18 yr olds aren’t think of income protection or critical illness, many aren’t even working!

Your mate could ask their mortgage lender what they can do to help - see if they might be eligible for a mortgage holiday or at least interest only. These options will lead to the mortgage either bring higher or going on for longer afterwards though.
https://helpforhouseholds.campaign.gov.uk/housing-support/

Good for you but I would think it’s a small % of parents who take out insurance policies for their 18 yr olds.

Exactly

If the mate (or rather their insurer) agrees to pay then it will never go near a court

He can claim Universal credit as long as he has savings less than 16k. However there is no help with a mortgage on UC. Does he have any mortgage protection insurance or anything like that ?

Yeah, those will be prohibitively expensive

So it's still legal discrimination

You don't survive really. This is why so many disabled people aren't in work. Understandably they need time of sick sometimes but the stress of living on SSP is too much. It's easier to be on benefits and have a regular income to cover the basics, even though a lot want to work.

It's £116.40 a week for SSP & you get it for 28 weeks - they can claim UC while receiving it & request an advance payment.

But definitely get them to check out their options as it's a workplace injury they may be entitled to some sort of compensation.

He really does need to get advice and make a claim against his mates insurance. This is a real life changing injury

I used to have millions of pounds worth of insurance liability when working for myself and I was just sat in an office. His mate should have plenty as well

They're not. As I said you need a broker.

@Hinkuy insurances with existing medical conditions are expensive even through a broker.

I used to work in a sector where SSP was the norm. It was also in healthcare. Unsurprisingly people couldn't afford to be sick. So they would come into work and make other people sick which would then cause staffing issues. SSP is woefully inadequate but nothing will be done to change it. Us riff raff should have just saved and stop eating so much avocado on sourdough bread!

I would take my souse to court in these circumstances and expect them to do the same.

You don't. It's terrible. If you are young and fit you can buy appropriate insurance. If you are my age, late 50s all you can do is save and hope nothing terrible happens.

Doesn’t need to take them to court - just get the boss to contact the insurance company