Advice please on SSP and giving up work!

Mrs_Monkey_3

Hi all, any advice greatfully recieved...

My Husband has an abnormality of his skeleton and in the last 2 years his symptoms and level of pain has become progressively worse, the Dr thinks this is partly due to the physical nature of his job and partly due to the condition itself.

My husband has been on the sick for 7weeks now and has tried to return on amended dues but there is no other job availible that he can do and even light duties is still to physical for him. The Dr has suggested that he can't stay on the sick long term for a job he will not be able to return to and has given him a sick note for 4weeks notice period.

My query is if my husband hands his notice in at work will he still be entitled to SSP until his 28weeks are up if he is no longer employed?

If he can't claim SSP is there anything else he could claim in it's place? My husband wants to work but due to the pain he is in is very limited in the hours and work he can actually do.

Thankyou

Mrs M

alwaysonthego_2

If he hands in his notice he will have to put in a claim for ESA, but whether he gets anything is dependent on either his NICs or the household income.

NASA_2

I would advise staying on SSP for as long as possible rather than going on ESA.

ESA is difficult to stay on.

[Deleted User]

I would also advise staying on SSP for the full 28 weeks it is payable, I have known cases where people have been very ill and told they won't work again, but then after a few Months the situation changes. Also if he gives up his SSP and tries to claim ESA they will probably question it as to why he left his job early? Was he pushed out because he was ill? Blah blah blah!!! If he still feels unable to return after 20 weeks SSP ask for a form SSP1 to ensure a smoother transition and hopefully avoid a break in income.

NASA_2

Deleted_User wrote: »

I would also advise staying on SSP for the full 28 weeks it is payable, I have known cases where people have been very ill and told they won't work again, but then after a few Months the situation changes. Also if he gives up his SSP and tries to claim ESA they will probably question it as to why he left his job early? Was he pushed out because he was ill? Blah blah blah!!! If he still feels unable to return after 20 weeks SSP ask for a form SSP1 to ensure a smoother transition and hopefully avoid a break in income.

Week 23 is when the SSP1 can be provided. And ESA can be claimed in advance meaning that a little foresight from employee and employer can save any problems down the line.

Mrs_Monkey_3

Thankyou for your replies.. the problem is hubby's Dr keeps going on about how he can't stay on the sick long term as one he can't return to the job he does as it is too "heavy" work and he physically is not up to it, but is able to work in a job that is non-physical.... job hunting begun a while ago but there is very little work around of this nature at the moment.

Katykat

I should think it is not up to your Dr to decide when your hubby should finish work. OK, he is not able to do his normal job, but that is up to his employer to decide. I dont think it is ever a good idea to give your notice in as this could have a negative effect on any future benefits, as he would be classed as having made himself unemployed. SSP is usually paid for 26 weeks, thenif he continues to get sick notes from his Dr, he will then apply for ESA, but this is more difficult to remain on as he will have to have medicals.On the positive side, the ESA dept will provide support and practical help to get him back into work in employment that is suitable for him. If there are severe limits on what he can do, they can provide retraining. If he gives his notice in, he would then have to sign on & claim JSA & I dont think he would get the same support.

healy

Katykat wrote: »

I should think it is not up to your Dr to decide when your hubby should finish work. OK, he is not able to do his normal job, but that is up to his employer to decide. I dont think it is ever a good idea to give your notice in as this could have a negative effect on any future benefits, as he would be classed as having made himself unemployed. SSP is usually paid for 26 weeks, thenif he continues to get sick notes from his Dr, he will then apply for ESA, but this is more difficult to remain on as he will have to have medicals.On the positive side, the ESA dept will provide support and practical help to get him back into work in employment that is suitable for him. If there are severe limits on what he can do, they can provide retraining. If he gives his notice in, he would then have to sign on & claim JSA & I dont think he would get the same support.

SSP is paid for up to 28 weeks if employed.

If the OPs husband gave in his notice it would not have a negative affect if he then claimed ESA.

If he gives in his notice he would not have to sign on for JSA as he could claim ESA as long he has a sick note/fit note/whatever it is called this week.

NASA_2

In the off chance that an ESA medical happens quickly, and the OP's husband is turfed off ESA, then JSA could still investigate why the last job ended.

I'd think it unlikely that a sanction would happen though.

Still, SSP is the more sound choice, its higher paying than ESA at the start. If an Income Related benefit is required then IS can be claimed on top of SSP.