going onto half pay, insurance questions

[beepbeep]

I have now been off work for 5 months and it looks likely I shall be signed off again for at least another couple of months. I have been suffering with post natal depression (though did return to work for a couple of months after maternity leave).

Mid April I face going down to half pay, I have an insurance through work (Stuart Harvey) that pays out if I to go onto half or nil pay, I was just wondering if anyone had had any experience of going through this and claiming.

It has been suggested by payroll that I would have to claim employment support allowance and that my stat. sick pay will end at the sick months too and then claim after all that. Bit confused and worried by it all.

I start some counselling next month (through work) and have had a couple of sessions of CBT (nhs), I am on antidepressants. I feel guilty being off work esp facing going down onto lower wage as we struggle financially anyway with 3 children between 1 and 4.

Any help would be appreciated

No advice on the insurance but ESA is the new(ish) thing that replaced stautory sick pay. After about 6 months (think it is 28 weeks) your Company will no longer pay you the statutory element of sick pay so you will need to claim this back from the state yourself. Your HR department should be able to provide you with information/claim form.

It sounds more scary than it is. In basic terms, say you earned £300/week. Of that, say £75 is stautory sick pay. After a certain period your workplace will only pay you £225 and you will claim the £75 from the state.

A point of interest - ESA didn't replace statutory sick pay it replaced incapacity benefit.

www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/FinancialSupport/esa/DG_171894

It's payable if you leave work due to your inability to work, but it sounds like you are still on contract, and hoping to return?

Statutory Sick Pay info here

www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Illorinjured/DG_10018786

From your post, it sounds like you get (contractually) full pay for seven months, and then it goes down to half pay. How long do you get half pay for?

I actually get 6 months at full, then another 6 at half. I am still under contract and yes I do intend on returning when fit to do so.

Does this mean I don't claim ESA and that I have to claim the statutory sick pay direct from the state? DO you know when I have to look at doing this / how long it takes to sort out. I have been told by insurance people that I need to forward copy of half pay letter when I receive it, they haven't mentioned claiming anything from anywhere else

If you have another month on full and then six months on half, I dint think you get asp as well. ESA is for when you are no longer fit to work and have to give up your job, not times when you are off sick. Adonis for when you are no longer receiving sick pay from work but are not giving up your job.

iPhone is mis spelling . Should say "I don't think you get ssp as well"

"Adonis" should read ssp!!

The half pay you will be receiving will mean you are not eligible for ssp, as your work are paying you more than that amount. Ssp is only paid if your employer are not paying you anything any more. No idea about the insurance you have, sorry.