Going onto SSP - Can I get more money?

BatOutOfUll

I'm to have an operation the first week in Dec, requiring up to a month off work.

Work dont pay while off sick so I will be on SSP for 4 weeks. I am given to understand it isn't paid for the first 4 days and then will only be £80 a week?

As this wont even cover food for the three of us, does anyone know if I can get any benefits to help pay my bills for a month?

I currently get Child Tax Credits (two teenagers at college) and a small amount of LHA. I dont receive any maintenance for the Children as the 'father' is on benefits and doesn't have to pay me.

Could I get Income Support or a Crisis Loan/Grant to get me through December?

How do I prove that work aren't paying me? I wouldn't get a payslip until Dec 31st andthe Office will be closed till 4th Jan. We usually get given them on return to work after the break.

Any help gratefully received. I would have cancelled the operation, but as my job is under threat unless I have it and I've waited 2 years I dont really want to do that.

I wont be able to log on again until tomorrow night (sackable offence to use t'internet at work) so please bear with me if I dont reply to any questions put to me

Thanks x

MrsManda

You may be able to get an increase in your LHA and get council tax benefit while claiming SSP. I don't know the rules around income support but if your income is low enough it may be possible to claim.

If you receive SSP only while you are sick, you may also be able claim other benefits.

• Income Support

• Housing Benefit

• Council Tax Benefit

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Illorinjured/DG_175854

fresian_cow

You can put in a claim for income support to top it up. I'm not sure if they do pay anything but might as well make the claim.

LL30

If it's £80, then I don't think you'll get IS as it exceeds the amount that IS is - £67.50, unless they use the disregard for SSP as they do with working lone parents. That would give you £7.50 extra. Best bet is to contact your council re: HB/LHA and CTB - for those 4 weeks you'll get an increase but you will need the evidence of a pay slip. Don't wait until you have the pay slip though, ring and advise them in advance, follow it up with a letter and see what they say. It will come through, but it'll take a little while. I suggest you talk to your LL about any possible shortfall you may have for that month and let them know what you're doing about it. It's always better to prepare people (particularly around Christmas!). Good luck xx

BatOutOfUll

LL30 wrote: »

If it's £80, then I don't think you'll get IS as it exceeds the amount that IS is - £67.50, unless they use the disregard for SSP as they do with working lone parents. That would give you £7.50 extra. Best bet is to contact your council re: HB/LHA and CTB - for those 4 weeks you'll get an increase but you will need the evidence of a pay slip. Don't wait until you have the pay slip though, ring and advise them in advance, follow it up with a letter and see what they say. It will come through, but it'll take a little while. I suggest you talk to your LL about any possible shortfall you may have for that month and let them know what you're doing about it. It's always better to prepare people (particularly around Christmas!). Good luck xx

I have two dependants? Wouldn't it be more?

BatOutOfUll

Thanks for the replies so far, I can manage Dec on Nov salary it's getting a pay packet of around £300 on Dec 31st and rent due Jan 1st that's worrying me, what I get wont even be half my rent and I need £150 a month for my season ticket to return to work in Jan. Even if I get LHA it wont cover the rent (shortfall of around £20 a week) but it would help. If I lived alone I could manage by turning all heating off and hibernating for a month but I've two lads to look after (no EMA) and they need £20 a week each for travel, as you can see after that we'd only have £40 left........

Wish I had known about the op earlier, I would have racked up the overtime to double Novembers salary!

Best shoot off I'm on lunch in a WiFi hot spot..........

LL30

BatOutOfUll wrote: »

I have two dependants? Wouldn't it be more?

It doesn't matter how many dependants you have unfortunately. IS is for you, CTC is for them x

missmontana

Even tho the childrens father is on benefits, he should still be paying you something, its normally a flat rate of £5 per week.
Would the kids be able to get jobs? Lots of Christmas positions coming up in shops, or paper rounds etc

BatOutOfUll

missmontana wrote: »

Even tho the childrens father is on benefits, he should still be paying you something, its normally a flat rate of £5 per week.
Would the kids be able to get jobs? Lots of Christmas positions coming up in shops, or paper rounds etc

No he's on Incapacity Benefit so that's one of the benefits that is exempt from the £5. I'm hoping he goes onto DLA then at least I would get £5.

The kids have tried to get jobs, but due to lack of experience and that they dont get home from college till gone 5pm it rues out evening jobs. One had a Saturday job, but was laid off. We've no fast food outlets or anything like that that they could work in and the last train back to the village from town is 9:45 pm ruling out Bar work.....

BatOutOfUll

Well I've been told I may get full LHA for the time I'm on SSP, but would need to provide Pay Slips showing a drop in Income. As I get paid 31st and all my DD go out on the first, there wont be enough money in the bank to cover any of them and so I will incurr bank charges.

With that in mind i'm going to try and get a extension of my overdraft (doubtfull) or a bank loan (equivalent to a months salary) for January. This means I can meet my bills and buy my season ticket for travel to get me back to work in Jan.

Thanks for everyones help, it is very much appreciated

Batty x

BatOutOfUll

LL30 wrote: »

It doesn't matter how many dependants you have unfortunately. IS is for you, CTC is for them x

Wow how things change? When I last claimed (many moons ago) you got money for each dependant, I suppose it's been replaced by the Tax Credits system?