SSP due to finish

doelani

I am not having a good day, I have been off work sick since 20 December and have calculated my SSP is sue to finish next week. I get paid monthly on 20th so will not know until 20 July how much SSP has been paid for July. Idue to me being in hospital for 5 months with depression and anxiety I have been unable to talk to work as even the thought of it makes me feel sick, work was a big contributor to me becoming ill.

I wrote to my employer 5 weeks ago asking for confirmation of date SSP finsihes and when SSP1 will be issued so I can claim incapacity. THEY IGNORED LETTER. Ok I guess the way they look at it is I have not contacted them in 6 months so why help me out!! I was unable to speak to them and cannot even leave the house. I have been sending in my sicklines and hubby has spoken to them just before I got out of hospital, they wanted me to go see them, he explained I was still in hospital and theys aid ok they did not really espect me to go anyway.

I phoned IB today and asked what happens if tehy do not send my SSP1, guy there was really nice but did say it could take months to get IB sorted if I did not get SSP1 and to try phoning employer. Well after taking a diazapan to calm me down I phoned the wages dept direct (in different location to where I acually work ) I was nearly crying with nerves and then the lady I spoke to told me their computers where down and asked me to call back tomorrow, I am so worried now that they will contact my manager direct adn tell them I was on looking for this info and may not give me it tomorrow.

Has anyone else had experience of employer not issuing SSP1 when they should? IB said employers usually issue it before the 28 weeks is up to give you a chance to get your claim in for IB. I do not know if I will even be able to lift the phone tomorrow.

sorry for going on.

hjb123

My employers were a bit of a pain when it came to dealing with sickness. Though they dismissed me due to illness in the middle of may when I had been off 6 months, paid me 4 weeks notice and the P45 etc came through the post with all the details on so I was able to put my claim in for benefits fairly quickly - though the payments took a while to come through.

My employers werent exactly the most caring folk around! Stick at it and dont let them get to you - I know this is easier said than done though!

You could always try speaking to someone at your local Citizens Advice Bureau or Welfare Rights service - they may be able to provide home visits or have telephone advise sessions.

doelani

hjb123 wrote:

My employers were a bit of a pain when it came to dealing with sickness. Though they dismissed me due to illness in the middle of may when I had been off 6 months, paid me 4 weeks notice and the P45 etc came through the post with all the details on so I was able to put my claim in for benefits fairly quickly - though the payments took a while to come through.

They would do me a favour if they did this, on a number of occassions over the last few months I was ready to hand in my notice but did not wnat to complicate things. Hpoefully i will get the details I need in time, IB have already told me it could take a while to get things sorted even if I get my SSP1 form. WHY? At the end of the day they will can access all my details on the computers with reference to national insurance for previous years. I understand they need SSP1 to confirm that I have been paid for 28 weeks.

Can I ask did your employer just sack you? or did you know this was going to happen? I thought if that happened they would have to go through normal dismissal procedures?

urban_spirit

Hi doelani

I understand how youre feeling as i'm in a very similar situation to you. My employer has been playing games with me since I got ill 3 yrs ago, including not issuing SSP1's. I was able to make the call to chase this, but fell into a heap and relapsed after it. They couldnt be more nasty, bullying, twisting or harassing if they tried. Its horrible, isnt it.
Can I ask who your employer is???

As far as i'm aware I think your employer has a legal obligation to supply SSP1 to you, and when you get it it shouldnt take that long for the relevant benefits to be sorted. Make sure you try and send everything with the IB form and photocopy EVERYTHING so if anythings lost you can send them a replacement.

Are you in a union?? They can talk to your employer on your behalf re. SSP1 etc,. Or if not, local citizens advice bureaus have people experienced in employment law that go in every week and deal with cases, and can represent you. Some also have access to solicitors for free.

Have a look at the ACAS website too. This should tell you more about what they should be doing.


I wish mine would sack me - how stupid is that! I want this to end so I can breathe again.

Hope this helps

Good luck

hjb123

I had it so that my employer gave me notice - otherwise I woudlnt have got the months notice pay

Fran

urban_spirit wrote:

Can I ask who your employer is???

Perhaps naming them is not a good idea.

doelani

urban_spirit wrote:

Hi doelani

I understand how youre feeling as i'm in a very similar situation to you. My employer has been playing games with me since I got ill 3 yrs ago, including not issuing SSP1's. I was able to make the call to chase this, but fell into a heap and relapsed after it. They couldnt be more nasty, bullying, twisting or harassing if they tried. Its horrible, isnt it.

I only worked for firm 10 months when I became ill, I was admitted to hospital after 2 weeks off work and to be honest the only contact I have had has been as above, post and 1 call from hubby. They probally know I will not be back for a long time and although they knwo I am now out of hospital have not asked to see me for occupational health. Even if they did I would not be going as I cannot go out of house and feel the stress of it would be to much. I do not think they are going to bother now at this stage seeing as my SSP is almost finished. I do not want to leave work at this stage as I do not want to complicate things with IB. I really do not need the hassle of worrying about this.

thanks for replies

doelani

Fran wrote:

Perhaps naming them is not a good idea.

Yes I agree