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Original poster

SSP and other benefits?

8 replies

2skint2bsick · 25/07/2021 09:37

Hi,

I currently have a problem with my mobility due to an injury I got 18 months ago and although it healed (or so I thought) it has come back, and worse this time and it's reached crunch point where it's really affecting me at work, I'm in a fair amount of pain and I'm not coping with what I need to do. I've spoken to a doctor who put a referral in, but I have no idea how long that will take.
I'm loathe to go on the sick as I'll be down to SSP and the bit of tax credits & cb I get, and although sustainable short term, I can't do that indefinitely because of the drop in income, which will leave me with about £150 a week for everything, my rent is £100, CT £25 so that leaves me with £25 for all other bills, some of which I'm catching up on still since being furloughed, for 2 of us (single parent)

I'm already unofficially on 'restricted duties' but I need to be on my feet for most of the time even then and I'm really struggling, not to mention worrying about making it worse by not resting enough.
I'm just terrified that I'm going to end up in more debt and with bailiffs at the door again.
And for how long this will take to get sorted, there's a good prognosis of going back to normal after treatment, but I don't know how long that's going to take especially now.

The Dr said that I can have a sick note if I'm not coping at work as they understand that restricted duties are not always feasible in my job to the extent I'm needing, I haven't taken the sick note yet for the above reasons, but it's looking increasingly like I'm going to have to.

Can I claim anything else while I'm off sick to help? And do I need to wait until I've had the first month pay on the sick, therefore have proof of my income before I claim anything? Because that's going to result in stuff not getting paid, and if I need to switch to UC from TC that'll be another 5 weeks wait pushing me further into debt.
Can anyone give me any advice please?

OP posts:

DecorChange · 25/07/2021 15:42

Bump for you

Nosilayak · 25/07/2021 15:54

Could you claim PIP? If your physical condition is affecting how you live your day to day life then maybe you can make a claim. It's not means tested so you wouldn't have to show bank statements etc

Nosilayak · 25/07/2021 15:58

Also, you may be better off on Uc. I think you can get help with your rent and maybe ask the council for council tax support if your income is going to drop. There is also ESA which you can claim if you can't work through I'll health. I think you really need to talk to someone in the know, can you ring your local Citizens advice bureau for help?

Nameswaptime · 25/07/2021 16:04

You can’t claim ESA while you’re entitled to SSP from an employer. Try PIP and UC.

AnotherEmma · 25/07/2021 16:04

Hi OP. I advise on benefits among other things.
Do you claim housing benefit? You didn't mention it.
It sounds as if you'd probably be much better off claiming Universal Credit. UC will include a housing element (towards your rent). You can request an advance payment to tide you over while you're waiting for the first payment.
To find out how much you'd get on UC (whether on SSP or your regular wage) contact the citizens advice help to claim service:
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/claiming/helptoclaim/
They can also advise about timing your claim to help your cash flow.

Original poster

2skint2bsick · 25/07/2021 19:17

Thanks for your replies everyone.

Could you claim PIP?

I was under the impression that PIP was for people who had been registered as disabled and it was a long term thing? This is a fairly common injury that I have a good prognosis from and should be fine to work after treatment and recovery, but it's worth a shot if it keeps the wolf from the door! Thank you.

Do you claim housing benefit?

No, I receive tax credits and child benefit, but the majority of my income is from my wages as I work full time, but don't get paid for time off sick and only get SSP which is going to be just over half of what I earn. I could just about manage the rent payment on SSP - but very little else after that. I'll have a look at that link - thank you.

OP posts:

Babyroobs · 25/07/2021 22:25

@2skint2bsick

Thanks for your replies everyone.

Could you claim PIP?

Do you claim housing benefit?

PIP is a longer term disability benefit and depends what problems you have in relation to the PIP descriptors - so can you wash and dress yourself, cook a simple meal, communicate, manage your toileting needs etc, mobilise. Your problems in relation to the descriptors need to be anticipated for another nine months at least. It takes months currently to be awarded PIP so is not a short term solution. If you don't already get housing benefit then you would need to claim Universal credit and start handing in sick notes and wait to be assessed if your sickness from work is likely to be long term.

Babyroobs · 25/07/2021 22:26

@2skint2bsick

Thanks for your replies everyone.

Could you claim PIP?

Do you claim housing benefit?

If your illness is likely to be shorter term and you choose to stay on tax credits then you can continue to receive working tax credits for the 28 weeks that SSP will be paid for. Then WTC would stop.

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