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Original poster

If you can no longer pyhsically do your job, what happens ??

24 replies

nutcracker · 16/01/2006 11:04

Dp has been diagnosed with Osteoarthritis ( i think thats it) of the spine and knees in particular.

His own doctor and now a doctor at the hospital have both said that if he continues to do the job that he is doing, the condition will get worse and that basically he needs to change his job.

He already struggles, just to turn over in bed, but his job entails lifting kegs of beer on and off his lorry and so this is definatly making him worse.

Neither of us are quite sure though what he should do. He is 48 and has only ever done manuel jobs,. and so the chances of him finding a physically easy job, are slim, as they aren't going to want to train someone of his age surely.

The place where he works have no other less demanding jobs that they can give him either.

OP posts:
jetlagdZebra · 16/01/2006 11:12

disability? One of the benefits that the govt. is going to make more strictly tested. Maybe your DH's gp can advise?

Original poster
nutcracker · 16/01/2006 11:16

I was worried someone might say that.

Thing is neither doctor suggested this, i think they just assume he can get an easier job just like that.

Could we afford to live on disability though ??

OP posts:
mummytosteven · 16/01/2006 11:22

wouldn't you be entitled to more in tax credits if DP went on disability?

Original poster
nutcracker · 16/01/2006 11:23

Haven't a clue MTS, I don't know how all that works.

A couple of members of dp's family are on disability but he doesn't speak to them so we can't ask them.

OP posts:
mummytosteven · 16/01/2006 11:26

probably worth giving tax credits helpline a call, or Job Centre to investigate what would happen tax credits wise if DP lost his job.

Original poster
nutcracker · 16/01/2006 11:28

Yeah i'll have to, it is confusing.

Don't understand the diff between disbility benefit and incapacity benefit either.

OP posts:
ScummyMummy · 16/01/2006 11:35

Could he pop into the jobcentre and have a chat with one of the advisers there? They should be able to help him with information at least and some of them are really skilled these days, imo, (especially if you are in a job-centre plus area) and may be able to help with training course/alternative job ideas etc. Maybe college beckons for him? Is there anything he's always dreamed of doing?

mummytosteven · 16/01/2006 11:35

Do you mean between DLA rather than Disability Benefit? As I understand it, DLA is if you need assistance with personal/other care on a day to day basis, whilst Incapacity is just for not working.

Original poster
nutcracker · 16/01/2006 11:39

I don't think he fancies retraining at his age and there isn't anything in particulare that he fancies doing i don' think.

I think he could probably g0t incapacity benfit from what I have managed to find out so far, but the highest amount is only £76, there is no way we could manage on that even with tax credits.

OP posts:
ScummyMummy · 16/01/2006 11:43

Has he applied for DLA? He could do that now as it's not means tested. /link{http://www.dwp.gov.uk/lifeevent/benefits/disability_liv_allowance.asp#download\You can download a form here.} Incapacity benefit is the equivalent of Income support/Jobseekers allowance except there is no requirement for you to look for work because to get it you must be assessed as unable to work due to illness/disability. Incapacity benefit will soon face a great shakeup as many people believe that there are many people who have been awarded it and then essentially forgotten about when they might be able to return to work given the right support and opportunities. This should result in Job Centre staff becoming more expert in helping people like your dh find alternative careers. Fingers crossed anyway. Good liuck. It must be really tough for you to support him through this if he's in lots of pain and facing unemployment.

mummytosteven · 16/01/2006 11:45

Ignore what I said about DLA, I was talking crap, was getting mixed up with Attendance Allowance

ScummyMummy · 16/01/2006 11:45

Sorry- You can download a form here. , I meant.

ScummyMummy · 16/01/2006 11:50

Bad link. Try here

ScummyMummy · 16/01/2006 11:51

48 isn't really old though. He might find something he likes doing more than what he's doing now.

helsi · 16/01/2006 12:00

He possibly wouldn't get retirement on ill health grounds as to get that you have to basically be never able to work again in any job ever. It sounds as though he could actually find work n a less demanding/physical job. Has he considered doing this rather than just quitting and claiming benefits?

expatinscotland · 16/01/2006 12:10

Yeah, helsi, that's the thing. A good friend's husband had a stroke. He was a headmaster and had been in education since he was 21 and started teaching. He was retired early, but he was also 58.

Original poster
nutcracker · 16/01/2006 12:13

We have been looking for a different job for him for a while now, but all require either experiance or qualifications.

I think he is feeling a bit low and drained because the pain is stopping him from sleeping properly now too, and so he is not getting a full night.

OP posts:
Original poster
nutcracker · 16/01/2006 12:14

He could get a job as a driver but he has 6 points on his licence and so far he has been turned down because of this.

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 16/01/2006 12:15

'Could we afford to live on disability though ?? '

Possibly not, especially not w/3 kids and neither of you working.

What's possible, however, is for one of you to work full time and the other to stay home.

I think the general trend is going to be for the government to make it a lot harder for a couple to live on benefits with neither of them working.

Original poster
nutcracker · 16/01/2006 12:19

I have no problem with working Expat, but I am not getting a full time job whilst my youngest is under school age, wether dp is working or not.

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 16/01/2006 12:23

Hmm. Perhaps he should make an appointment at the Job Centre then and have a chat w/an adviser.

DH stays home during the day w/our kids - I'm on mat leave at the 'mo - who are 2.5 and 4 weeks whilst I work full time during the day. He works part time as a driver in the evenings/weekends.

Perhaps your DP can stay home and look after the kids whilst you work part time and swap out w/another part time job?

Just a thought.

acnebride · 16/01/2006 12:24

No, fair enough. Does your dp's employer have a personnel or occupational health person? any advice there?

Also try calling ACAS on 08457 47 47 47 for employment law advice (I've only called them as an employer - maybe try Citizens Advice Bureau if they can't help) as if your dh could be defined as disabled at work he may have rights in his current job under the Disability Discrimination Act.

blueshoes · 16/01/2006 13:01

yes, nutty, check whether your dp's current employer has permanent health insurance for its employees as part of dp's employment package. It is strictly contractual, if offered. In my company, if employee has been off sick for 6 months and is incapacitated due to longterm illness or injury, the policy will pay out 75% of previous salary (less state incapacity benefit) for the period of the disability.

clerkKent · 16/01/2006 13:05

DP will get protection under the Disability Discrimination Act. e.g.

"Under the DDA it is unlawful for an employer (or prospective employer) to:

discriminate against a disabled person in employment
fail to provide any necessary reasonable adjustments for disabled employees and applicants
subject a disabled person to harassment
subject a disabled person to victimisation because they have brought, or given evidence to information in connection with, proceedings under the DDA
undertake disability-related discrimination. "

See CIPD DDA

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