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[Enigma53]

My head is fucked right now.

Off sick for the second time this year with cancer and treatment. My SSP ends in September. If I’m not back in work by then ( school based job, no wfh option) I will have to claim ESA. I already claim PIP.

Currently trying to work through my options.

1. Apply for IHR and do voluntary work to keep busy ( assuming disease stabilises)
2. Hope my disease stabilises and get a part time job ( less than 16 hours a week ) and claim ESA.
3. Hope my disease stabilises and reduce from 4 to 3 days next academic year ( if i can)

Worst case scenario the bastard cancer just keeps on growing and I will die!

Are you receiving, planned to receive, or recovering from, Chemo or Radiotherapy?

Receiving chemotherapy. Doctors think cancer is resistant to this particular drug. I am more than likely going to have to start second line of treatment soon.

OK, if you're receiving Chemo then, on ESA, you'd be placed in the Support Group (ie more money) automatically after a 13 week wait period. No good until SSP ends though.

Might you be eligible for Universal Credit ie do you have less that £16k, UK citizen/resident etc?

Relevant to that may be whether you have a partner who is working and/or whether you pay rent?

Thanks, yes that’s what I understand too. SSP ends 10/09. If I am able to work, can I go into the work ESA group ( if I can’t reduce my existing work hours any more ) ?

More than 16k in savings.
Home is owned outright.

ESA has a concept of permitted work:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/employment-and-support-allowance-permitted-work-form/permitted-work-factsheet

In summary you can earn up to £195/week provided you do no more than 16 hours/week.

Many thanks for sharing this info.

I shall make a note of all scenarios and options accordingly.

I just want to be back at work. This is all so unfair and complicated.

If you are in the LGPS have a look at the ill health benefits.