If you are recovering from an op and your pay goes down to half pay then nothing...

[geraldinetheluckygoat]

What can you do to get by??
My dp has a spine problem for which he's been offered the chance of surgery which may help a little bit. He hasn't decided if he wants to go ahead yet as hes worried about the possible complications (small chance he might be parylised if he has the op.)
They said that he will be in for a week and then recovering for 3 months, possibly longer. We rely on his salary to pay the mortgage, I work from home but dont earn much and we have two small kids. Presumably I'll need to be around to look after him, and the kids and all that. So I think pay goes down to half pay after a month doesn't it, though some companies will pay full pay for longer. Is it possible to claim any sort of benefit at all if you are on long term sick? How would we pay for house/bills?? Does health insurance ever cover this sort of thing? We will look into all of this of course, Im just freaking out a little wondering how we're going to manage and wondering if anyone has any experience of this type of situation?

Hi Cat, I don't think there is a Union at his work...I think his work in the past have been pretty stringent about sticking to the official timescales...though they may let him work from home I guess for a bit. Will make sure he goes and chats to the personnel people tomorrow. I know this is how it is, and also that a lot of people have it much worse than he does health wise, but isn't it something when you have to decide wether you can afford to improve your health...

Just bumping to see if anyone else has anything to add

He needs to check his contract to see what sick pay he is due. Most workers get statutory sick pay by law but then his employer may pay more, full pay or half pay, and that will be in his contract.

Depending on your other circumstances you might be eligible for benefits ... for example tax credits, to boost your income. Best to speak to CAB or another advice agency to check what you might be entitled to claim.

What caused his health problem? If it was a work injury (even one without fault) that opens a different can of worms ...

If the mortgage can't be managed for a short period best thing is to speak to your mortgage provider early, ideally before you miss a payment.

thanks for the advice, missedith, will check contract.
Ongoing health problems with ankylosing spondylitis and osteoperosis. basically means very little movement in his spine and neck at all. So not work related.
thanks again for taking the time to answer :)

If your husband's condition is very disabling he might be eligible for Disability Living Allowance (eg if it means he needs help to wash or dress, or can't walk very far). Best of luck to you both ... it sounds like a difficult choice to have to make ...

Hi - hope you been able to work out what work offers. I think after work sick pay you can claim state sick pay (not necessarily what normally get, but something) and with the new fit note for work from gp's work can be asked to make adaptations - such as work from home/part-time return to work which might help?

Or if have a mortgage many companies offer a mortgage holiday for times like this (with the 3 months say added to the end of your term).

Presumably he'll go on to statutory sick pay when his work sick pay runs out?

He needs first of all to check his terms and conditions and contract - what does the company do about sick pay (for example, we get SSP only in first six months, then a sliding scale based on length of service, which at the long service end is six months full, six months half then statutory sick pay).

Do you have any insurances that would help? Mortgage payment protection or the like?

thanks very much for the advice everyone. I think for now we have decided to see how his condition progresses over the next couple of years, we both feel that although the risk is tiny, its not one we need to take yet. We are going to find out about the things youve all suggested so that we are better informed if his condition becomes too limiting and we have to go for the op. thanks again everyone