Ssp/esa

Ames

Hi all, just after some advice.

My mum found out yesterday that she has a tumour in her lung. She's been off work for neary 8 weeks now and only has two weeks left of sick leave. We'll find out on Wednesday all the details of her illness, but she's worrying about how she'll pay the mortgage and stuff.

I've had a quick look online about SSP but I can't find much, does the 28 weeks start after her sick leave from work on almost full pay, or will it count from when she was first signed off? Is there any other help out there for the 28 weeks? She was hoping to get DLA under the special rules, until I explained that that's only if you have less than 6 months to live, so she wont get that. She works full time on just above NMW.

I've looked at ESA and she wont be able to get that until SSP runs out, am I right about that?

So as far as I can tell, she'll finish her sick leave in a couple of weeks, then have to manage on £79.15 for 28 weeks, and then can apply for ESA if she's still not back at work by then, is that right?

I've said I'll take over dealing with the mortgage people and things, so I'll be asking them for a payment break and then to go interest only, will she qualify for a social tariff on her utilities even though she's not on benefits?

I think that's everything, for now at least.

jellybaby1969

Ames wrote: »

Hi all, just after some advice.

My mum found out yesterday that she has a tumour in her lung. She's been off work for neary 8 weeks now and only has two weeks left of sick leave. We'll find out on Wednesday all the details of her illness, but she's worrying about how she'll pay the mortgage and stuff.

I've had a quick look online about SSP but I can't find much, does the 28 weeks start after her sick leave from work on almost full pay, or will it count from when she was first signed off? Is there any other help out there for the 28 weeks? She was hoping to get DLA under the special rules, until I explained that that's only if you have less than 6 months to live, so she wont get that. She works full time on just above NMW.

I've looked at ESA and she wont be able to get that until SSP runs out, am I right about that?

So as far as I can tell, she'll finish her sick leave in a couple of weeks, then have to manage on £79.15 for 28 weeks, and then can apply for ESA if she's still not back at work by then, is that right?

I've said I'll take over dealing with the mortgage people and things, so I'll be asking them for a payment break and then to go interest only, will she qualify for a social tariff on her utilities even though she's not on benefits?

I think that's everything, for now at least.

SSP is for 28 weeks and from the day after her SSP ends she will be entitled to ESA. Prior to her SSP end date her employer should send her form SSP1 telling her that her SSP has ended and from what date.. this is an important form and will be requested to be sent from you to them.

Does your mother get WTC..? It will also be wise to contact them when the SSP ends informing them of such. A 28 day WTC run on will apply and then WTC will stop.

Ames

No she doesn't get any tax credits, she used to get a little bit but she got so sick of them messing up that it wasn't worth it for a couple of pounds a week.

nannytone_2

regarding your utility question. online tariffs are often cheaper than the tariffs charged for low income. be wise to check it out using a comparison site.

dookar

She may be able to get income support

Ames

I thought income support was now only for single parents? I'll look into that now, thanks.

also, when does the SSP start, is it after she uses up her 10 weeks sick pay from work or from her first day off sick? Will she be expected to use her holiday entitlement up before ssp starts?

Sorry for all the questions.

healy

Ames wrote: »

I thought income support was now only for single parents? I'll look into that now, thanks.

also, when does the SSP start, is it after she uses up her 10 weeks sick pay from work or from her first day off sick? Will she be expected to use her holiday entitlement up before ssp starts?

Sorry for all the questions.

SSP starts from when she was first off sick (with 3 "waiting days" at the start).

She will not be expected to use her holiday entitlement before SSP starts.

Lou76

Ames, first and foremost, I want to wish you and your Mum well.

I'm afraid I can't answer your SSP questions, sadly [as in I've never been able to work since] it's been a while since I was in that situation, and to be honest my head was all over the place at the time that I wasn't really taking it all in. My saving grace was my Mum, much like you with your Mum now.

Anyway, with regards to social tariffs, I've only recently heard (well read, on here) about these and switched to Scottish Gas' tariff, after researching online tariffs etc it was by far the best for me.

However, I'm on a "means tested" benefit, as well as DLA, so that might be the clincher, but it'd be worth researching anyway.

Here's the blurb [minus a few parts that were irrelevant to you, or any of us for that matter] that they sent me, I assume the T&C's apply across the board (i.e. British Gas/ Centrica customers) but rates may be different etc:

GAS:


Standard:

Tier 1 (up to 1143 kWh) 6.563 pence per kWh

Tier 2 (above 1143 kWh) 2.992 pence per kWh

Essentials:

Tier 1 (up to 1143 kWh) 4.511 pence per kWh

Tier 2 (above 1143 kWh) 2.736 pence per kWh


*Tier 1 applies to first 1143 kWh per quarter (or 381 kWh per month for monthly billing customers, 4572 kWh per annum for Pay As You Go Energy) and all subsequent consumption is charged at Tier 2




Electricity:


Standard:

Tier 1 (up to 225 kWh) 23.207 pence per kWh

Tier 2 (above 225 kWh) 10.397 pence per kWh

Essentials:

Tier 1 (up to 225 kWh) 14.548 pence per kWh

Tier 2 (above 225 kWh) 8.635 pence per kWh


*For single rate credit meters, Tier 1 rate applies to the first 225 kWh per quarter (or 75 kWh per month for monthly billing customers) and all subsequent consumption is charged at Tier 2.


Terms and Conditions

The Essentials Tariff is subject to availablity. Rates will commence on the effective date of transfer from your existing Scottish Gas Tariff. To qualify for this tariff you must have been on supply of gas and/or electricity with Scottish Gas for a minimum period of 6 months.

To qualify for the Essentials Tariff the Scottish Gas account holder for gas and/or electricity must satisfy all the following criteria:
(a) aged 70 years or older and claiming pension credit or be in receipt of one of the following benefits: DLA, attendance allowance or suffering from a chronic illness;
(b) resident in a household where the combined total income of all members of the household is less than £15000 (Gross) per annum; and
(c) receiving one of the following government benefits: income support, housing benefit, carers allowance, child tax credit, working tax credit, pension credit, or job seekers allowance.

Customers can remain on the Essentials Tarrif for as long as they fulfill all of the criteria set out within these terms and conditions. If you have any questions about these terms and conditions or the additional benefits available with the Essentials Tarrif, please call 0800 072 8725.