Civil service ill health retirement timeline

[FireIronBeer]

Hi

My Dept is suggesting I apply for ill health retirement. My half pay runs out at the end of May. If I apply next week (IHR1 completed) how long roughly does the process take? I'm really worrying about a big gap with no money.

Do you need permission from the CS CMO before you can apply?

No. You apply then the Scheme Medical Adviser needs to (1) decide if further evidence needed and (2) give advice as to whether the tests are met. Then the employer formally makes a decision.

It's just timelines are an unknown. My (unhelpful) HR contact says "it can take a while" and nothing helpful. I'm keen to know what people's experience has been....

I'm in the same position as you and am waiting for some advice from the union, but they aren't overly forthcoming. If I hear anything I will post again.

Thanks @LordFarquart38

I'm finding it really frustrating. There must surely be some "we aim to complete this bit in 20 days" type expectations - but no-one seems willing to say so.

My Dept won't even give me a quote before the medical adviser decision so it all feels very uncertain.

You can apply for New Style ESA when your half pay runs out. It’s only £90 a week but it’s not means tested, and anything is better than nothing. You’ll be eligible if you’ve been paying NI.

Not civil service but nhs. This was 2017. Applied in January, got letter in June and first payment in July.
In the April they dismissed me from my job on ill healthgrounds. Got 12 weeks pay plus accrued annual leave. I applied for esa and Pip which got me through to the July. It seemed forever. I'd also got defered sickness benefit on my mortgage insurance so claimed that too.
It wasn't an easy process but worth it. It's such an emotional roller coaster getting the letter to say I'd got my pension was bitter sweet. To see in black and white 'xx will never work again in my opinion ' supported by 4 Dr's in my mid 30s was devastating but also a relief. The one thing I should have done was get some counselling as I was going through the process (I did later on). Definitely get union support mine were excellent and actually applied for a one off payment to cover a month's bills for me (without my knowledge). Best of luck and sorry your in this situation.

I was wondering if you could give an update on how the application went for you? I hope you got a good outcome

Hello

Still ongoing but the end is nearly in sight.

I submitted the application in April. It was sent to the scheme manager in May (after HR filled in their bits). I know the scheme manager went back to my consultant asking for more information. I then had a telephone medical assessment at the end of July. And a formal decision agreeing to ill health retirement in August.

Then I received the pensions options form and filled it in. I am told they should be ready to pay my pension in November or December.

While I'm glad of the outcome decision, the process has been hideous. The phone consultation was grim. And every step has had no real timetable attached to it. And my pay ran out in May.

I've used my savings and made a serious dent into my credit card. It feels like it'll take ages to get back in a financial even keel. But I'm glad I stuck with it. The pension (when it arrives) is a good one.

How are you getting on? @LordFarquart38

wow, what a long haul, I'm sorry it's been such a fight but I'm glad it's gone in the right direction.
I thought they would at least try and stick to the timeliness, which suggest it should be sorted much quicker, but I guess I should know better by now!
I've just had an occ health assessment which was quite comprehensive, and has now advised my manager to submit the actual application. My consultant has already completed their part of the form but I have no doubt the SMA will want to get further clarification from them.
I told myself that I'd be happy hearing an outcome by Christmas but I guess that was a bit optimistic!
Hope you get some pension soon and that you are feeling ok with everything

Thank you.

I think they went back to my consultant more than once. And the telephone assessment seemed more about catching me out (asking about hobbies and holidays- I have neither!) than about my ability to work.

But it's done now - just the wait.

I'm in a different part of the civil service - applied in Jul - process info says about 6-8 weeks - spoke with scheme adviser Oct - they asked for info from Gp and employer. In one of their letters they mentioned timelines as a service standard. Broadly I am expecting a decision this month or next.

G