Suspended (temporarily) Supply. Can I claim benefits?

[Pawparazzi]

I'm an experienced supply teacher. I took retirement with my Teachers Pension 2 years ago. A few weeks ago, a student alleged that I had closed a door on her foot, which she claimed caused an injury. (She had been sent outside the room by another teacher to whom she had been rude). I have about 10 witnesses to this, plus the other teacher. The girl will be interviewed by the Safeguarding police representative and as soon as term resumes I will begin pushing on this. My Agency and Union is fully behind me. It is all in hand, but it all takes time. Of course, I cannot work with 'children and vulnerable young people' until this is resolved. However, assuming this goes on for weeks, and even months, and I am unable to find casual work elsewhere, can I apply for any sort of benefit? I draw my teachers pension every month but the additional income, until my state pension kicks in, is essential. Thank you.

Sorry to hear that a dreadful allegation has been made against you.

Could you not get an alternative role in the interim? Retail/Office/Admin - you may find that you enjoy it more and decide not to go back to supply?

I've just had a few weekends working for a major supermarket filling shelves (wines and spirits!) and really enjoyed it, but it has been seasonal only.

Have you been issued an Interim Prohibition Order for your DBS as otherwise it is likely you can still do supply. Often supply teachers are told they can't but check whether an IPO has been issued. Union should be able to help with this.
Also I assume it has been passed to the LADO of the authority covering the school. Be aware supply teachers can often be put to the bottom of their priority list as they deal with employees first who are contracted permanently as councils/academies don't want to keep paying them if they can process a case and dismiss. Sounds awful but you are not their priority and they won't care if you are not earning.
It is awful that supply teachers have no recourse for payment when under allegation. Often agency staff are woefully inexperienced in such allegations and this is why the union should take control.
When this is proven a false allegation you can ask for your union to pursue loss of earnings against the school for false allegations and also expect that the student is punished as per the schools policy for false allegations.
Being supply should not make you an easy target and seek help if you feel this is causing you personal issues.
Log every call, conversation etc.
Ask for GDPR redactions from the agency, school and LADO if the allegation becomes drawn out or becomes more drawn out as then you can prove they did not act in a swift manner.
I have come across a few cases like yours and it makes me so disappointed that supply staff are treated so unfairly when an allegation is made. Stay strong.

Sorry forgot to say that as far as I am aware anyone I know in such circumstances found they were unable to claim any money.
Unions have a hardship fund if there is a need.

Have you asked about a permanent role?

I know Tesco and ASDA take a lot of their Xmas temps on permanently….

Yes, applied for a P/T perm role last week. So we'll see on that one. Thank you!

@teletone thank you. I'll check on the issue of my DBS. I don't think it's been impacted, but I didn't know that it could have a 'stay' imposed on it. Another complication is that here in Wales, teachers have to register with the EWC (Education Workforce Council), which is absolutely mandatory before you can teach in schools, whether on supply or permanent staff. I don't know whether my EWC registration is impacted. I'll find out.
From Friday of this week I'll start putting some pressure on the Agency and on the Union. I've discovered that because my Teacher's Pension is so robust, I'm not entitled to any benefits at all. That's ok, at least I know now. I've got an appt with a Jobs advisor through the local Benefits Office, next week, and being 'busy' like this is definitely a help.