To think this Statutory Sick Pay rule is a joke?

[muggglewump]

I've been off work for a week, and am signed off or another with pneumonia.
The doctor is talking longer before I'll be fit for work again and has said at every appointment (5, so far) that I'm very close to hospital.

My employer doesn't pay sick pay, and as I have found out, you are not eligible for SSP unless you earn £97 a week. I don't earn that.

Why, just fucking why?

Surely they could link it to the tax credit rule for single parents ie. 16 hours at minimum wage?

I work 16 hours, at slightly more than minimum wage but that's not enough.

Who made that rule?

'Oh, they don't earn much, they can pay the bills with nothing if they are ill'

I have applied for ESA, but the not very helpful woman on the phone couldn't tell me if I'm eligble, may be eligible, sound eligible, or anything really.

I feel like I'm being punished all over again, even though I came off benefits to work, and I work hard in a pantsy job.

handbook for SSP

Seriously, you need a high protein diet at the moment. The Steroids basically feed off protein, the fact that you are hungry all the time emphasises this. If you do not eat more protein then it will start to break down yours, it will attack your muscles so you will develop muscle atrophy, they will weaken alot.

It looks like I will be entitled to SSP because of the overtime I've done, and also extra HB and CTB whilst I'm off, though that will be paid in arrears that's fine if I know I'll be getting it.

I'm still not any better but I had a lovely day out with family today which DD loved so I'm feeling better about that and I've been eating protein alone (chicken, prawns and tofu) which doesn't seem to set off the diarrhoea.
I have tried the yoghurt soaked tampons and it relieves it temporarily.
My mouth is still a mess though.

Thanks for all your help, I wouldn't have known about the benefits without MN.

Hope you are feeling better soon, good to have had a nice day out.