help with work & benefits please

painted_lady

Hi, not sure if I should post here or on the benefits section, but as its disability related I feel it goes here.
I am registered on middle rate care for DLA, I have multiple health conditions and spend a lot of time in hospital. I have had a lot of surgery in the last few years and it is seeming there is no end in sight. I have managed somehow to hold down a part time job, which is quite a good salary so has allowed me to afford to work part time (because of my health conditions). I am on middle rate care indefinately as they appreciate my condition isnt going to improve.
I am struggling holding my job down, despite emplyers been reasonably supportive. The question I want to ask is what benefits would I be entitled to if I pack my job in (or get laid off as medically unable to do my job). I have never claimed benefits in my life, other than DLA and child benefit. I am a professional and spent a lot of time getting to where I am in my job, never thought I would be "wanting" to claim benefits, but I think its the best thing to do for me and my family.
I currently bring home £1140 a month after tax, NI and pension contribution, think its about £1500 before. I work 3 days a week. My partner is full time self employed, we have a preschooler who currently goes to nursery the 3 days I work, I would like to keep him in nursery if possible. We get approx £180 a month in child tax credit and this almost pays for nursery.
I have been on entitled to and done it as if I am not working, but is any other advise will be welcome. Am I better quitting my job or getting them to write me off as medically unfit?
I also have an insurance policy for critical illness and all that, the policy is about 8 years old, but are they likely to pay me anything if I cant work because of illness?
Any help appreciated and please dont brand me as someone who likes claiming benefits because I dont and have struggled unbelieveably with my health, throughout my life but especially the last few years.
I forgot to mention I get approx £4000 a year before tax from an investment I have, so would need to take this into consideration too.

dmg24

painted lady,

Feel free to repost on the Benefits board. The information on this board relating to benefits can be very unreliable, but if you post on the Benefits board there are several experts that can ensure you get the correct information.

McKneff

I appreciate that you have ill health but sometimes leaving a job could make a health issue worse, you have some motivitation if you see what i mean, could this happen in your case.

Other than that you need to post about household income, not just your income.

Good luck

System

IF it was for sickness reasons as you've not had any incapacity claims before you would have to claim Employment and Support Allowance though your eligibility would depend on other circumstances too

jennilb

I'd like to add that, if you look at the posts on ESA / google it, you will see that this is no guarentee that you will get accepted by the DWP as being unfit to work. Also, if you leave your job voluntarily, I understand you have to wait 6 weeks before claiming benefit. It would certainly seem better to keep hold of your job if you can (and I speak as someone who was recently laid off from a well-paid professional job for being too sick to work).

Have you considered asking your employer about reasonable adjustments to your work (its a requirement under the disability discrimination act)? Could you work from home? Could you have flexible hours? Could you agree an arrangement where you work more hours and build up a 'credit' when you're feeling well so you can 'spend' those hours when you are less well? Could you take some (unpaid) leave, if the current situation could improve with a bit of rest?

I hope these suggestions help.

jazabelle

painted_lady wrote: »

Any help appreciated and please dont brand me as someone who likes claiming benefits because I dont and have struggled unbelieveably with my health, throughout my life but especially the last few years.

I just wanted to say - 99% of people don't want to claim benefit. They do so because they've fallen on bad times and have to, not just for kicks. You seem to have this attitute that most people do it for fun, except you.

painted_lady

I do know someone who does enjoy claiming benefits, is proud of it and boasts about it to people. I accept this person is in the minority, but its someone in my family and I have to hear about it all the time. I was a little scared of posting and coming across like this.
For my sick record, i am talking about surgery 2 - 3 times a year atm, so when I am off, its usually a few weeks minimum at a time. I have to work my week over 3 days and there are some hours it is impossible for me to do from home, but I do what hours I can from home. My employers cant really change my hours any more than they have done, and I found out last year the term "reasonable" in reasonable adjustments gives them the power to turn round and say something is not actually reasonable.
I have thought it through for a long time and I know not working isnt great for mental health, keeping busy etc is needed. however, at this stage I am trying to work out what my options are.
Thankyou to everybody who has replied, its appreciated.

lolly5348

hi am new to this board and looking for answers myself on this issue i have suffered for 10 years with moderate pain with RA but the last year has been a bit of a struggle going to work walking with my feet hurting so much i am walking on the balls of my feet apart from my right hand but i was struggling on because i think we need to try as much as we can although my husband has to do some caring for my needs cooking ect i applied for dla and got awarded higher rate dla for care and mobility 3 months ago due to letters from my new cosultant who was actually watching me walking to my appointment through his window.. though i never knew. he was appalled at the state of my feet because i have never been asked to show my feet to my last rheumy who i was under for 10 years any how i am now afraid to go back to my job . i have been off sick 4 months because of major flare up.. my bosses have sent me to a private doc for a medical who has stressed i can return to work when i get some proper medications and physio for the pain and stiffness of my joints and she said they have to accomodate my needs under the disability discrimination act so i can return to work i am a bit concerned they will take me off dla if i return to work . but i have a friend who has ra really bad and like you she has had so many operations on her joints she is very disabled with it and the dwp are asking her to find a job because of the new rules of incapacity benefit so that concerns me if i quit my job will i be able to get incapacity benefit or will they make me also look for work i am 55 she is only 40 sorry this post is long

starnight_2

lolly5348 wrote: »

i am a bit concerned they will take me off dla if i return to work .

Just so you know, DLA is not means tested, you can still work and claim DLA.

sheeps68

As you already have a hospital I would suggest you ask to speak with hospital social worker or even better welfare rights worker if they have one. They were the only people I found when I was in similar situation who could look at various what if scenarios. By the way they advised me well to get a good balance in working and not destroying my health. Eg suggestion of 1 hour less work meant higher level tax credit = minimal change in iincome.

sarahlouise210

You could try and get your employer to medically retire you - this would give you a lump sum and a pension. As for the critical illness policy... it really depends on the wording of the policy - if it states that you are unable to do YOUR OWN occupation, then you may have a chance but it usually says "total and permanent disability" if it says ANY OCCUPATION then you probably would not have an chance as you could do something else that you did not find so challenging. Hope that helps !