Quit work to care for G/F with mental health issues or carry on with SSP??

angus1

It must be very hard for her having no friends or family closeby. She's very fortunate to have you looking after her and it sounds like you'll both get each other through this difficult time. Must be hard for you though dealing with everything though when you are off with stress. Just remember your health is more important than work and them putting pressure on you.

Good luck

DEBTMONKEY1A

Angus-again thanks for the kind words! Love her to bits but bet we could BOTH do with a week of not seeing each other (!!!!).....Hope things carry on improving for you.

This has really opened up my eyes. She had the 1st episode (where she was sectioned) due to a small worry at work that she turned in to a big worry. Anxiety/stress/worry & no proper sleep for 7 days & BANG! Never seen anything like it & just shows how acute anxiety/stress/lack of sleep can make you paranoid & delusional...I won't go in to details as to what she thought was real but it certainly wasn't (!) but at the time she was 100% convinced it was??!! Don't want to go through that again.

Her contract ends on 22 May (she's off sick now) -can she put the ESA claim in NOW or does she have to wait until 22/5? Also-how long after you put your claim in did it take for any money to come through??

angus1

It definitely is scary what the mind can make you do / think at times of severe stress and anxiety. I think what you're saying about having time to yourselves is normal and important - even getting out for a walk on your own can help.

Regarding claiming ESA I don't think it matters that she is still employed, it is whether or not she is receiving any sick pay - statutory or otherwise. I was still employed when I claimed ESA but I had to wait to the day after my sick pay finished to put the claim in (this will also be the date that is on the SSP1 form that she will get from her employer). They wouldn't even take my details before that.

It took about 3 weeks to get my first payment which was backdated to the date of my claim. I'll get it every 2 weeks now.

mickey54

DEBTMONKEY1A wrote: »

Angus-again thanks for the kind words! Love her to bits but bet we could BOTH do with a week of not seeing each other (!!!!).....Hope things carry on improving for you.

This has really opened up my eyes. She had the 1st episode (where she was sectioned) due to a small worry at work that she turned in to a big worry. Anxiety/stress/worry & no proper sleep for 7 days & BANG! Never seen anything like it & just shows how acute anxiety/stress/lack of sleep can make you paranoid & delusional...I won't go in to details as to what she thought was real but it certainly wasn't (!) but at the time she was 100% convinced it was??!! Don't want to go through that again.

Her contract ends on 22 May (she's off sick now) -can she put the ESA claim in NOW or does she have to wait until 22/5? Also-how long after you put your claim in did it take for any money to come through??

Was she on full pay for 6 months - then 6 months on half pay? If that was the case, then she would have been entitled to claim benefit on top of her half pay.

DEBTMONKEY1A

Hi mickey54!

ok...as she only did 20 hours a week she got full sick pay for 3 months & then 1/2 sick pay from there on in (sh started getting sick pay around 20 Jan when she 1st became ill)...BUT it had to be said that the '1/2' pay seemed only about £100 PCM less than full pay. She then had i think 1 months full pay (she tried to go back to work on a reduced hours basis but it was too soon & she was signed off for 8 weeks sick)-very generous as she only did 5 days reduvced hours in that period (!) & her last pay of her contract-due 21 May-should be 1/2 wage again.

Do we mention this on the ESA claim? For her first '1/2' month I was working & earning good money (we're living together) but for the last 5 weeks or so I've been off with high blood pressure on just SSP.

Any advice would be great!

This whole benefits thing is so complicated!

DEBTMONKEY1A

bump bump!

DEBTMONKEY1A

bump bump bump!

Also to claim ESA-bearing in mind G/F health (don't really want her to be 'grilled' on the phone'-which is quickesst/best way-on-line/askk them to send a form/or phone application?

bestpud

Why not just claim it?

I realy don't understand the need to find ways of traversing the system.

Surely it is best just to ring up and ask the what you need to include while you are on the phone?

Quicker you get the ball rolling, the quicker she is assessed, and the quicker she receives money.

DEBTMONKEY1A

Not sure what you mean by 'traversing the system??!' Just confused by it all.

bestpud

DEBTMONKEY1A wrote: »

Not sure what you mean by 'traversing the system??!' Just confused by it all.

I just mean it would surely be better to simply apply and get the ball rolling, rather than continuously bumping your thread for information on how to apply and what to say in order to make your claim quicker.

The sooner it is in the system the better and the only way to do that is to do it.

I don't think there is a way of avoiding the necessary paper work and medicals but if there is, it may be better to wait until you know what it is you are being asked to do.