newbie-any advice please?

Davo1977_2

Hello all. Not posted on this section before so please be gentle with me(!). I'm currently off work ill & have been for about 5 weeks. I have followed all my companys procedures, etc & the illness has been covered by fit-notes etc.

I WANT to work & a phased return has been arranged for me. I am in my probationary period still & am sure my employer will sack me soon (please don't say I'm just being paranoid-I feel this is likely as I have heard some things).

My questions are that-

1)- If I am sacked can I claim any sort of benefits (such as JSA, hardship money?, Housing/Council Tax benefit). IF this happens I'll no longer been on any fit-note so can't claim anything to do with illness. My partner works on an 8 month contract which allways finishes end May. Her last wage will only be a 1/2 month wage-approx £400. Her contract (if granted again) starts again 3rd week of September.

2)-If I give my notice (I don't want to give too much information but there has been aspects of bullying with this job) what would my situation be then in relation to claiming any of the above benefits?

3)-If I am still working can my partner claim JSA when her contract ends? I beleive she can but only if its contributions based-is this correct?

Please be aware i really really do not want to be on benefits-I'd obviously rather work but need to know what I can do if the situation changes. My partner is also very stressed about this & would like to know where we stand as her contract will end in 2 weeks or so.

Any help would be fab.

Davo

MrsManda

Have you started your phased return?
How long have you worked for the company?
I 'think' if you are sacked due to illness then you'll be able to claim JSA if you are well enough to work in another capacity without being sanctioned but someone else will have to confirm that.
If you leave your job without another to go to you are likely to be sanctioned due to making yourself voluntarily unemployed.

If you are too unwell to work you can claim ESA.

If your gf is claiming JSA contribution based your income is not counted, if she's claiming JSA income based then total household income is taken into account. I'm not sure if you'd have to make a joint claim for JSA IB as I've never been in that situation.

You may be able to receive low income benefits such as council tax benefit but this will depend on your household income.

I'm sure someone else with more knowledge will be along soon, you could try modelling your different circumstances on the benefits calculators to see what you can claim in different circumstances.

https://www.dwpe-services.direct.gov.uk/portal/page/portal/ba/lp?_piref278_36249_278_36248_36248.__ora_navig=action%3Dentitlement%26pageno%3D16

http://www.turn2us.org.uk/benefits_search.aspx

Davo1977_2

Thanks Mrsmanda....the calculators are usefull. If sanctioned are there any benefits (excluding sickness ones) I could claim?

Davo1977_2

Bump bump....any other feedback/advice?

Davo1977_2

Bumpy bumpy bumpy.....!

Any other advice guys/gals?

McKneff

Advice, stop worrying about things that havent happened.

You've 'heard things' where from, washroom gossip.

If they are giving you a phased return, that's a positive step that they want you to return.

If they wanted rid, they could have done it at any time, within your prob. period or within the first year of employment, they dont need to give a reason for letting you go.

Just go back to work, keep your head down, say nowt and dont listen, let alone comment, on gossip.

Thats my advice for what it's worth