Advise on benefits

aandp_2

`m off sick from my family business, back in March I had a nervious breakdown and have been very unwell. Dr signed me off and have been ever since, a month ago I had an accident and dislocated my knee which has not helped my depression, anxiety at all.

Since my breakdown I ahve not heard from my sister at all, and minimal contact from parents... It took them 4 days of perstering when am I coming back in March and didn`t ask about my condition.

Today I have a call from my parents asking about wanting a meeting to talk about the future.

I can`t go back for health issues, and Dr is completley behind me, having councelling etc. I did intend to talk them about leaving but injured my knee and its bad - operation is possible!!

I`m a 20% shareholder in the family business, I just want to leave not affect the business, but this will leave me financially in dire straights as I can`t work or look for another job.

Any advise please??

I did post this on CAB thread, but am wondering if having shares will affect my benefits!!!!??

McKneff

Can they buy you out.

aandp_2

Can`t afford to and as they are past retirement age they wont buy me out, my father keeps threatening to sell/wind up the business put staff out of a job, and say how terrible I`m am that the business will end!!!!!

I don`t want my shares out as I want the business to continue but without me..

But don`t want my family financially crippled

pmlindyloo

OK I am going to try and help but need a few more details.

Just to get started can you answer the following please?

What is your position in the family business? A director/an employee/something else?

Are you receiving any sick pay?

What class NI contributions have you been paying?

(More questions to follow when you have answered these!)

aandp_2

I`m an employee
They are paying my full wages
Normal employee NI
Been their 27 yrs

pmlindyloo

You need to have a discussion with your parents about leaving.

As you are currently being paid your full wages then you are not eligible for any benefits.

As an employee do you have a contract? Are you being paid full wages as part of your contract or is this a family arrangement?

Depending on your contract you might be eligible for Statutory Sickness Benefit.

See here;

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/moneytaxandbenefits/benefitstaxcreditsandothersupport/illorinjured/dg_10018786

After this ends you may be entitled to contribution based based ESA for 6 months. This is not means tested and as far as I know your shares will not be counted as capital (someone will correct me if I'm wrong)

After the 6 months you might be entitled to income based ESA. This will depend on your household income (are you married? children? Own property/rented?)

The other possible benefits are Council Tax Benefit, Housing Benefit (rented property), Housing Costs (own property) All of these are means tested and take into account your household income, savings and some capital.

So, what are your circumstances? (Sorry for all the questions)

Married? Wife working? Children? Own house? Rented?



If

aandp_2

Married

husband full time employment

1 child at school 14yrs

own house with mortage

pmlindyloo

aandp wrote: »

Married

husband full time employment

1 child at school 14yrs

own house with mortage

Thanks.

So with the information you have given you need to investigate with your parents the way forward as regards your leaving and whether they intend to pay you SSP (have a look at the link I gave you)

Once you have establised this then if you leave you would most likely be entitled to either SSP from your employer or contribution based ESA for 6 months . If you are paid SSP then you can claim the contribution based ESA after SSP ends.

All the other possible benefits (are you claiming any tax credits at the moment?) will depend on your husband's income. if you are claiming tax credits then you need to inform them of the change of circumstances. if you aren't claiming them at the moment you might be eligible when you leave work.

Apologies for assuming you were male

Since your husband is working full time then you may not be entitled to income based benefits unless he was on a low wage.

Thus, your shares in the business would not come into play.

You can double check your entitlements by putting your details into www.turn2us.org.uk for an estimate.

I hope your health improves and you can work things out with your family.

aandp_2

Thank you for your help