losing HGV licence for medical reasons

TruckerT

Hi everybody, I'm new to the site, and I am about to contact some Benefits Advice providers, but whilst I'm googling, I thought I might try to see if there is any useful information to be gained on a forum such as this

I am a 62-years-old truck driver, and I have just been diagnosed with a DVLA-notifiable medical condition which will almost certainly result in the cancellation of my HGV driving licence, and I will then become unemployed (I have managed to blag a month's unpaid leave, so that I will not be driving illegally whilst sorting something out)

I live alone in a rented flat, and I am separated from my wife since 10 years ago - we have no remaining financial connections. I currently claim no benefits or allowances except the single person's discount on the Council Tax. I have savings of about £6000, and a credit card debt of about £7500 (on a 0% deal for the next 15 months). I have no private pension plan. My rent is about average for the area in which I live

I would like to find out what sort of financial future I am facing!

Which benefits might I become eligible for (if any...), and for how long would I remain eligible? How would I begin to claim?

Thanks

TruckerT

chris1973

I can't help with the benefits question, but

Can your existing employer not find you an alternative non driving position within a local depot?. Answering Phones, Admin, Warehousing, logistics etc.

My Stepfather lost his (basic) driving license just before his 64th Birthday after being diagnosed with a disease of the brainstem (causing dizziness and vertigo), his existing job involved a 90% driving role. However his employer found him an alternative cleaning / admin job in the office until the point where he could retire as normal.

Of course all employers are different, but i'm sure that most would be sympathetic given that its not something you've done which has resulted in the loss of your license.

Have you been with the company for a long time?

rogerblack

TruckerT wrote: »

I live alone in a rented flat, and I am separated from my wife since 10 years ago - we have no remaining financial connections. I currently claim no benefits or allowances except the single person's discount on the Council Tax. I have savings of about £6000, and a credit card debt of about £7500 (on a 0% deal for the next 15 months). I have no private pension plan. My rent is about average for the area in which I live

As I understand it, it's not an area I've gone into deeply.
You're probably not eligible for ESA or DLA, if the condition 'just' means that you can't drive. If it's more complex than this, or involves fits, then perhaps.

You will be eligible for both JSA (jobseekers allowance) and Housing Benefit/Council tax benefit.

This pays your rent (with caveats if your house is 'too large' for you, it may not always cover it all) and the council tax. (though not the water charge part of it).

If the reason you can't drive is one of a short list of 'industrial' diseases brought on by your occupation you might be able to get industrial injury disablement benefit - this is probably unlikely.

sleepless_saver

Once you are not working, you could claim pension credit. On the figures you give, you would get £137 a week plus your rent (up to local council limit for a one bedroom property in your area) and council tax paid. This will leave you better off than claiming JSA (£67.50).

You can look for work again if you want to, just end the benefit claims as and when you get another job.

TruckerT

Thanks for the replies guys

My employer is currently in quite a lot of trouble, so in a funny sort of a way, there is a possibility that I am in a better position than some of his other employees...

What is the 'cash value' of job-seeker's allowance, and, at my age, how likely is it that I would be forced into totally abhorrent employment situations?

My choice is between notifying the DVLA of my medical diagnosis, and facing the financial consequences, or not notifying the DVLA, and facing the possible legal consequences... my doctor is confident that my medical condition is under control, and unlikely to make me into a danger on the road, but she also agrees with me that DVLA will almost certainly cancel my HGV licence

TruckerT

TruckerT

sleepless_saver wrote: »

Once you are not working, you could claim pension credit. On the figures you give, you would get £137 a week plus your rent (up to local council limit for a one bedroom property in your area) and council tax paid.

Right! Many thanks! That is a much more encouraging reply, I will follow your link immediately, and keep my fingers crossed

TruckerT

sleepless_saver

When you use the state pension age calculator onthe link I gave you, give your date of birth but say you are a woman:D. That gives you the age you need to be to claim guarantee pension credit which is lower for men than state pension age. Confusing I know.

Good luck!

TruckerT

sleepless_saver wrote: »

When you use the state pension age calculator onthe link I gave you, give your date of birth but say you are a woman:D. That gives you the age you need to be to claim guarantee pension credit which is lower for men than state pension age. Confusing I know.

Good luck!

Hi, I went through the Pension Credit Calculator and, yes, the figures seem to tally with yours

I am now consumed with curiosity about the existence of the Pension Credit Scheme...

I am about to start a new thread, called 'Pension Credit Scheme', in the hope that I will find out some answers, but I would still be very interested to hear from anyone who has any ideas about my current/impending doom!

By the way, following on from my earlier post, I have absolutely no intention of failing to inform DVLA of my medical condition - as I said, I have given myself a month off work whilst I gather as much information about my new situation. It is entirely possible that I will find a way to avoid having my licence cancelled, and I am taking expert advice on the best way to approach DVLA - but if the worse comes to the worst, then I will simply have to accept the consequences of my vanishing youth - in a long working life, I have never been unemployed, and I have had very little illness - it comes as a massive shock to be told that my working life is possibly at an immediate end

TruckerT

dodger1

The pension credit people will also apply on your behalf for housing benefit or LHA and council tax benefit making the whole thing a lot easier.

Mupette

DVLA will want to ask your gp/consultants some questions about your condition, and it's based on what boxes they tick.

MS means i have to inform DVLA, which i did, my consultant screwed up my form and i was instantly taken off the road, i got hold of my consultant because he did tell me that he felt i was still capable and would support me with DVLA, one swift call from consultant to DVLA got my licence back, although now i need to have a medical ever 3 years to ensure i am still safe to drive.

So don't think it is all doom and gloom yet, you said yourself your doctor feels confident it is under control.

Unless it is sleep Apnea which again debateable, my friend also a truck driver lost his licence and managed to get it back after a while once it was proven he was safe, but he will be monitored with that.
But no comany/agency will have him on the road as he has to declare it, he has his licence but no one wants to take the risk.