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Original poster

What would happen if I had to leave my job because

26 replies

InvisibleToEveryone · 04/09/2019 19:12

Of my child??

Hes seriously struggling with school, has been for all of yr6 and now has barely managed 10 minutes inside his senior school.

I can't keep leaving work or spending most of the day on the phone trying to find him if whatever.

So if I was forced/had to quit work because of a child with undiagnosed sen , what would be scenario with tax credits etc?

Thanks

OP posts:
flamingo40 · 04/09/2019 19:15

I don't have any advice regarding the money side. Other than look on the entitled to website.
I'm popping on to offer support.
My son missed 5 months of year 11 due to anxiety depression and a breakdown.
I can honestly say it was the hardest time of my life.
Get as much advice abs support as possible for you both. It's a hard slog I won't lie.
But we eventually got him through his exams and now he's in his second year at college.
Please feel free to ask me anything. I felt lonely and had no one who understood x

Original poster
InvisibleToEveryone · 04/09/2019 19:24

Hi,
Hes just 11 and isn't coping with large amounts of people...I think.....
The senior school have helpfully suspended him for the rest of the week...and I had to leave work after barely an hour to go find him as he had run away.

Camhs in a month....

OP posts:
Didiusfalco · 04/09/2019 19:27

Oh I’m so sorry, that sounds tough. I’m not sure about the tax credit situation, but it sounds like you could apply for carers allowance/dla?

Original poster
InvisibleToEveryone · 04/09/2019 19:39

He has no diagnosis as of yet of anything.

But I foresee me missing a lot of work, just wondering if it's worth biting the bullet now or not.

OP posts:
stucknoue · 04/09/2019 19:45

I claimed carers because dd had dla, but nothing else because I was married (then, he's since decided a kid with disabilities for life is cramping his style)

Rantysaurus · 04/09/2019 19:50

If he got DLA you could claim carer allowance then may be entitled to claim income support as you'd not be expected to job hunt due to your carer status. You would also get a premium on your normal tax credits.

Without DLA I don't think you'd get any assistance from the government. You'd maybe not even be entitled to JSA as they'd think you made yourself intentionally jobless.

Please apply for DLA if he requires more care than average for his age. This can take up to 3 months to process.

In the meantime can you use any sort of special leave your work has like parental leave? AL? Work flexibly or from home? Speak to HR?

Teachermaths · 04/09/2019 19:50

How have school suspended him already?

You won't be able to claim anything disability related until he gets a diagnosis.

Push for assessments in school as well. Start the EHCP process even without a diagnosis. Speak to the SENCO at school about this.

Rantysaurus · 04/09/2019 19:52

Also, it could take up to 2 years to be firmly diagnosed by an MDT if you're suspecting along the lines of ASD. Please don't wait that long to apply for DLA if you feel he needs this. DLA is awarded based on care and mobility needs - not diagnoses.

Original poster
InvisibleToEveryone · 04/09/2019 19:53

I work in a school, so have literally just gone back myself, no working from home etc available in my area.

How do I apply for dla without a diagnosis? I didn't think that was possible?

OP posts:
SeaSidePebbles · 04/09/2019 19:57

I would go to the GP and get signed off with stress for a while. Then get the ball rolling towards a diagnosis, support etc. And then jack in your job, if all other avenues have been pursued.
Sorry, can’t help with benefits info.
Hugs to you, it must be horrible.

Cantchooseaname · 04/09/2019 20:00

DLA is determined by how much care/ support child needs that is not typical for their age. Download the form and the cerebra guide, and see how much you think he fits- running away and supervision to stay safe are definitely things that would ‘count’.

user1485155939 · 04/09/2019 20:01

We've applied for dla for my child without a 'formal diagnosis' and been awarded middle rate care. You need to put a lot of detail in the form but it's worth it, if you want anymore help please feel free to message me.

Original poster
InvisibleToEveryone · 04/09/2019 20:09

Thank you everyone
Just feel his new school want rid before he gets a supported chance.

Suspended him for running away because they cant have children who don't do as they're told.....

OP posts:
Whenaretheholidaysover · 04/09/2019 20:14

I had to give up work for the same reason and I get tax credits, DLA and carers’ allowance. I don’t remember having to declare why I was no longer working.

Jaffacakebeast · 04/09/2019 21:01

I would say firstly don’t quit, or you could be forced to wait 3mth for financial help.

If you get good sick pay do that or wait until you’re sacked b’cos you’ve had to much time off.

You’ll probably have to go on to UC

You definitely can put in a claim for DLA b4 a diagnosis but I’m not sure about carers allowance.

If you get at least middle rate DLA you’re benefits will be higher.

If you don’t get carers allowance you’ll still have to job search.

What it you’re housing situation?

What is your household income?

Original poster
InvisibleToEveryone · 04/09/2019 22:34

HA house
Total income at mo, about 18,000, including "D"P.

OP posts:
Original poster
InvisibleToEveryone · 04/09/2019 22:38

The quitting thing is my worry.

I'm reading stuff on the sen threads and thinking yep, yep, yep,......but that's our "normal".
It's hard to "criticize "? I suppose, your child.

OP posts:
AiryFairyMum · 04/09/2019 22:47

Don't leave your job. If they sack you that's one thing (or they may pay you to leave) but don't wall out on your job until you have to.

Original poster
InvisibleToEveryone · 04/09/2019 23:00

I don't want to.

And I don't want to let anyone down, my ds or my dd or my work colleagues.

But at the moment I can't see how to juggle work, school meetings, camhs appointments, plus normal day to day stuff without someone or something being forgotten or suffering.

Today I had to leave work, dropping my colleagues in it to go look for my ds.
For the second time.

OP posts:
DayT0DayD1ary · 05/09/2019 02:18

Do not leave your job
Look on www.gov.uk as a parent you are allowed a certain number of emergency days off to care for a dependent

You could also visit your GP & after self certify for 5 working days, get signed off sick

You won't get benefits immediately if you resign from your job

You may be able to ask for a period of unpaid leave or your partner can if you have one

DayT0DayD1ary · 05/09/2019 02:20

If your child is not in education, do you have family or friend who can stay in the house with them while you work ?

flamingo40 · 05/09/2019 07:07

I wish I had gone off sick from work.
At the time I was a single mum. I had to rely on my parents who are amazing. They watched him while I was at work. But I still had the daily phone calls and messages. It was awful.
We had Camhs who were amazing. After Cbt he was so much better.
You need to looks our for yourself too.
I carried on working due to the fact my bosses weren't understanding at all. There was only me in my role.
Once things were better after a few months and he completed therapy etc it was me that had to get help. The doctor said you can't go through all that as a parent and not be affected. I wonder now if I'd taken time off work to deal with it instead of juggling it all if things would have been different.

Jaffacakebeast · 08/09/2019 11:21

You should be able to get some help with rent and council tax too then if 1 person isn’t working. What would be income if you weren’t earning?

If I were you I would put in an application for DLA, try and sort a diagnosis. Once you have that put in an application for careers allowance, (you won’t get any money if you earn over £120 a week but worth having in place) work as you are, leaving when you have to, you’ll more than likely be sacked :/

Then you’ll be able to get financial assistance while you stay home and look after dc

Babyroobs · 08/09/2019 11:34

I presume you are a lone parent? If you stopped working you would lose working tax credits. You would then need to decide whether to switch to Universal credit or manage on just child tax credits which may not be feasible. Any application to try to claim a new benefit ( eg housing benefit, income support) .