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can't start new job due to ill health

an9i77
Posts: 1,460 Forumite


I resigned from my job two weeks ago as I got an offer elsewhere. Last week I suffered a retinal bleed, which means I can't see out of one eye, and it may take some months before it is better. I will probably have to tell my new employer that I can't start. My contract with my old employer finishes in two weeks, so I will need to claim benefits after that. What will I be able to claim, and what proof will they need of my medical condition? Do i have to wait until my current job finishes before I can start the claim proceedings?
Thanks
Thanks
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Comments
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what does your new job involve, and has your doctor signed you off because you shouldnt work?0
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Does it risk your recovery by being active?
If not, you are unlikely to be eligible for any sickness or disability benefits.
You do not get ESA/DLA, or any other benefit just because you can't see out of one eye - and many jobs can be done just fine with one eye.
Admittedly anything involving depth perception may be challenging, at least at first.0 -
Well I will need to drive in my new job, and you can't drive with one eye unless you are used to it. Also I am at risk of further retinal bleeds. Yes I have been signed off.
I am willing to learn to drive with one eye but may take longer than a few weeks!0 -
TBH even if you could drive, I wouldn't.
I doubt that the new employer would be willing to wait for you to be better. Have you shot yourself in the foot with the old employer? Could you retract your notice?0 -
Whilst I share roger's suspicion that the OP would fail a WCA, s/he should be able to claim ESA at the assessment rate for at least 12 weeks. This should give a bit of breathing space to get things sorted and let the eyesight settle following the detachment.0
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Have you signed a contract with your new work?
If you have they will not have to pay you SSP as you have not started work for them. They should provide you with a form SSP1 explaining why you are not entitled to claim SSP from them. You then can use this to claim ESA.
Having said that, your situation is somewhat complicated since you are still currently employed by your old work. (ie your contract hasn't ended.)
What are your old work paying you? SSP or are you working your notice?
To be totally honest this is not straightforward.
My suggestions would be:
Contact your old employer and get a breakdown of what they are paying you until the end of your contract.
Contact your new employer and see what they advise.
If one or both don't know/can't advise you then contact CAB.
Certainly if you end up with no money at all and can't work (see above) then you would be able to claim something but this would depend on your current income/savings/household situation.
You will need 'fit notes' (the old 'sick notes') as proof of your illness.0 -
Hopefully you will be able to drive again when your sight has stabilised, although this may take some months. If you are at an increased risk of bleeds in both eyes I guess you should discuss it with your ophthalmologist & take their advice.
I had a huge bleed in my right eye almost 13 years ago (when there wasn't any treatment available) but I started driving again within a year & had no problems. I did stop riding a motorbike though as I didn't feel safe enough.
Roll on 11 years & I had a much smaller bleed in my other eye :mad: so that was then end of driving for me. But during the years I drove with partial sight in 1 eye I didn't have a single accident, near miss or feel unsafe & I did miles of driving so it can be done.
Sorry - no advice on sick pay as I was self employed. The only other advice I was given was not to do anything that could jerk your head around - no bungee jumping, riding in bumper cars etc. Not too life limiting
I hope it all settles down soon - it is quite scary when it happens but your other eye will "take over" & your brain relearns how to fill in the missing bits. Best wishes.And I find that looking back at you gives a better view, a better view...0 -
This is the scariest thing that's ever happened to me! I have burned my bridges with old employer, tbh wouldn't want to go back there anyway as not happy there. I am on company sick pay til that runs out (2 weeks) then SSP I week til my contract ends on 20th July. The new contract starts from 6th August - if still not better by then I guess I can ask them to wait a few weeks, as it will take them at least that long to find someone else, if not I'll have to write it off.
Shame as was looking forward to it, but need to concentrate on getting better.
Household income limited, as I am/was the main breadwinner, my partner rents out a flat (vacant at present pending refurb) but he can get a job whilst I stay at home with our child if needs be, and then hopefully when my health improves in the future I can get a job again (I hope - it was hard enough to get this one - such bad timing but that' life eh)
Thanks for the advice re SSP1 form in the event that I cannot start I will ask my new employer.
Gardenia how long did it take to recover from your bleed? Did you just have to wait for the blood to clear?
The problem I have is that it has not stopped bleeding yet, so has got progressively worse over the last week, the hospital have not been very helpful but I'm going to see someone privately hopefully very soon to get some answers.0 -
I don't think you can get ESA or HB as partner has property...I always take the moral high ground, it's lovely up here...0
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Ellejmorgan wrote: »I don't think you can get ESA or HB as partner has property...
Even if there is no rental income from it as its vacant?0
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