Debt disaster. Can I claim any benefit/money?

Starry-eyed_surprise

Does anyone knowthe answer to this question? It looks as if I may not be able to work for the time being at least (serious illness). As I work on a casual basis this spells disaster for me. I work as a supply teacher for the authority and when I am working for them - and paid by them - I guess I am 'employed'. I also work on the same terms for a university. Normally, I get plenty of work so this precarious employment status has never been a problem but I don't get sick pay etc from anyone. If I don't work I don't get paid. Any help or thoughts on this would be appreciated. I am struggling to work - been in hospital and will have to go again and I am not sure how much more work I will be able to do. I actually worked right up to the day I was admitted as an emergency. I have a commitment to work on Monday but I am not sure I can work beyond next week actually. I do have a husband who is employed conventionally (and a family) but we need my money too. What a mess. Up till now I gave been coping with debt repayments. I can't look to the future. Sorry to ramble but any info would be useful. I do pay full rate NI.

yung

I am sure you can still claim statutory sickness benefit or incapacity benefit. have a look in the benefit section.
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.html?f=23

Fran

You could claim Incapacity Benefit Jobcentre Plus.

Depending on your condition you might be able to claim Disability Living Allowance which is not income related and can be claimed by anyone working or not. You need to have had the condition for 3 months and expect it to carry on for a further six months. These sites will be of use:

Disability Alliance
DLA helpgroup.com
Directlgov.

If you need more help, there are plenty of people with expert advice on both these benefits on the Benefits, Tax Credits & Jobseeking Board.

Edit - Just seen yung's reply, I'm not sure where you stand with Statutory Sick Pay, perhaps the best idea would be to give the Benefits Helpline a ring.

Benefits Enquiry Line - 0800 882200 (0800 220674 in Northern Ireland) or Minicom 0800 243355.

Starry-eyed_surprise

Thank you for your speedy replies. I don't think I can claim Statutory Sick Pay but I will give the Benefits agency a ring on Monday just in case and to see if they have anything else they can suggest. I will get my pay in Novenber as usual ( I am paid a month in arrears) and then in all likelihood, nothing. Debt, cancer and no income is just too much. I don't know anything about benefits system but I guess I am about to learn. I just thought as I wasn't technically 'employed', i.e. not on a contract - that I wouldn't be eligible for anything. I've worked this way for 12 years now without a problem. I pay NI and tax. I hope I can sort something out.

yung

Better still if you can get down to the benefit office. good luck

Dolly_Smith

I'm assuming you have no critical illness insurance - this is the problem with jobs like yours. It can all tick along swimmingly until something disastrous happens and you're left high and dry

I hope you can get something sorted - I'm sure you will be able to, although I'm not sure how they can employ you when you're not on a contract, even if it's a temporary one!

Rgc_3

Starry-eyed_surprise wrote:

Thank you for your speedy replies. I don't think I can claim Statutory Sick Pay but I will give the Benefits agency a ring on Monday just in case and to see if they have anything else they can suggest. I will get my pay in Novenber as usual ( I am paid a month in arrears) and then in all likelihood, nothing. Debt, cancer and no income is just too much. I don't know anything about benefits system but I guess I am about to learn. I just thought as I wasn't technically 'employed', i.e. not on a contract - that I wouldn't be eligible for anything. I've worked this way for 12 years now without a problem. I pay NI and tax. I hope I can sort something out.

Hi

you really need to get professional advice on benefits etc.....im not going to comment as im not qualified to do so but id advise you at least look into the legalities of what your casual employers are obliged to do to help(You have certain rights if employed for over 17 weeks even on a casual basis)eg do you get holiday pay pro rata??as i say im not fully aware of the facts im just suggesting that you take advice on this angle also.(Im assuming you are paid PAYE and dont invoice as self employed??)

Much more importantly than the money aspects i wish you a speedy and full recovery from your illness.

I ve done a search and hopefully im not out of turn posting this link to support sites http://www.ability.org.uk/support_groups_cancer.html

My very best and sincere wishes to you

tobedifferent

If you've been paying full rate NI for I think 2 years (may be longer not sure) then you'll be entitled to incap if you are signed off sick. Its not a huge amount but its not means tested which means they won't take your husbands wages into account. Contact you local jobcentre as soon as you can.

Best wishes for a quick recovery.

moozie_2

Hi Starry-eyed surprise, I hope you do get some good advice from the benefits people. It doesn't sound right that you'd receive nothing now that you need the help!

I hope you make a full recovery and have some peace of mind over money matters soon.

greencat_2

Hi Starry-eyed. I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis (my wife had cancer a few years ago - now has the all clear).

I would try these people:
http://www.cancerbackup.org.uk/

They were very helpful for all kinds of questions. Most important - it's a big shock so try not to go into overdrive (difficult if you are usually the family rock). Let others (like family and friends) help in any way they can. They will probably be glad of the opportunity to do something. You are going to need all of your strength to fight the disease.

Also get in touch with the banks etc your owe money to (the CAB can help you with this) and explain the situation. We managed to get interest and repayments frozen.

Starry-eyed_surprise

I want to say a big thank you to everyone who has replied. I didn't know where to turn but 'MSE ers' really are great people with big hearts. I am so glad I found this site. I have paid full rate NI for all the time I've been working - and for ten years full-time before that when I was 'conventionally' employed - i.e. on a proper contract. I get holiday pay pro rata in my pay. I am not registered as 'self employed' - deductions are all PAYE and no, I don't have critical illness cover. It's always easy to be wise in hindsight. In term time I manage ok but I don't get paid in holidays as obviously educational places shut down. I have supplemented my money with casual work at these times. Thank you for the links Fran, Rgc and greencat. I feel a bit better because it sounds as if there might be some way of getting some money to come in however small, which is a lot better than nothing at all. I could do without the debt business at this time obviously. If I can at least meet minimum payments then that will have to do for now. Feeling a bit more positive today. Hadn't thought of CAB as being able to help but will look into this. I'm used to being one of life's busy people who copes and just gets on with things and I must admit to feelings of panic.