Disability & Dedundancy

I-Owe-You

Hello all,

I wonder if anyone would be able to help me? I apologise for my naivety but I have not dealt with or claimed state benefits (aside DLA) before.

I am disabled, my disabilities are degenerative and in the past 18 months I have found it increasingly difficult to commit to my structured 9-5, 5 days a week job. Working for the public sector I have recently been given the opportunity to apply for voluntary redundancy, the total payable would be around 6.5k.

I am very keen to take up this offer as I am struggling to cope at work and had considered the prospect of leaving, but am concerned regarding my possible benefits entitlements.
I claim DLA for my disabilities, but have always worked despite my ill health. Unfortunately it has now got to the point where I need to put my health first and feel giving up this job is now necessary. (I do intend to look for another more suitable role, perhaps less hours - although due to the current climate Im not sure how long this will take)

My questions are, what benefits would I be entitled too, and would the fact I have taken Voluntary Redundancy affect my ability to claim straight away - is there a "cooling off" period where I cannot make a claim? I had been informed (& have in writing that if I had not accepted voluntary redundancy, I would have then received notice of compulsory redundancy)

Its very stressful, as I live with my partner who also works full time but is on a modest income of £18,000 a year. We have £800 PCM rent to pay amongst many other outgoings, and he also pays maintenance for 2 children from a previous relationship, so we have obvious concerns regarding our future finances, and what support from the government we can expect.

I would be so grateful for your advice and expertise.

sunnyone

I-Owe-You wrote: »

Hello all,

I wonder if anyone would be able to help me? I apologise for my naivety but I have not dealt with or claimed state benefits (aside DLA) before.

I am disabled, my disabilities are degenerative and in the past 18 months I have found it increasingly difficult to commit to my structured 9-5, 5 days a week job. Working for the public sector I have recently been given the opportunity to apply for voluntary redundancy, the total payable would be around 6.5k.

I am very keen to take up this offer as I am struggling to cope at work and had considered the prospect of leaving, but am concerned regarding my possible benefits entitlements.
I claim DLA for my disabilities, but have always worked despite my ill health. Unfortunately it has now got to the point where I need to put my health first and feel giving up this job is now necessary. (I do intend to look for another more suitable role, perhaps less hours - although due to the current climate Im not sure how long this will take)

My questions are, what benefits would I be entitled too, and would the fact I have taken Voluntary Redundancy affect my ability to claim straight away - is there a "cooling off" period where I cannot make a claim? I had been informed (& have in writing that if I had not accepted voluntary redundancy, I would have then received notice of compulsory redundancy)

Its very stressful, as I live with my partner who also works full time but is on a modest income of £18,000 a year. We have £800 PCM rent to pay amongst many other outgoings, and he also pays maintenance for 2 children from a previous relationship, so we have obvious concerns regarding our future finances, and what support from the government we can expect.

I would be so grateful for your advice and expertise.

taking redundancy wouldnt stop you claiming benefits at all, ESA is the new IB and is payed at £65 per week for the first 14 weeks and then at either £90 or £95 per week IF you pass the medical but its very, very hard to pass the medical, my husband is very ill but he failed the medical and hes not alone (our GP told us that a terminal cancer patient of hers also failed it).

They are going to limit the time on ESA to a year unless you are in the support group (where my husband is now) but its extremly hard to get into this group.

You could claim JSA which is £65 per week for the first 6 months only because you would not be entitled to IBJSA.

For ESA its a point system (if you get a honest person to do the medical that is) and if you could give some details of your disability it might be easier to tell if you will pass the medical.

or someone could post a link to the discriptors.