ssp when laid off

jaimie_2

Hi, just been laid off and had no pay for 4 weeks. Employer has gone bust but administrators are called in and hopefully will get redundancy and pay that is due but that could be a long way off. Meanwhile I have been in hospital and had emergency surgery. Tried to get SSP but was told I am not in employment so inelligible. Can't get jobseekers because I have a note from my doctor not to work for 4 weeks. Can't survive on fresh air so any advice welcome. Been on direct gov and tried this -Statutory Payments Disputes Team on 0191 225 5221 but got nowhere. Passed to 6 different depts and gave up. Help someone please?

pmlindyloo

I believe that you should apply for contribution based ESA. This is not means tested.

You do not say how long you are unable to work. If it is a short time then when you are fit I believe that you would be transferred to contribution JSA which could run for 6 months. (not means tested either.

Any other benefits will depend on your household income and savings.

If you put your details into www.turn2us.org.uk as if you were claiming contribution based JSA it will give you an idea of what you might be entitled to.

Of course, when you receive your redundancy pay this may affect any means tested benefits like HB and CTB.

If you let us know your personal circumstances (partner? children? etc) we may be able to help more.

Muttleythefrog

As above.. at face value it sounds like you should explore claiming ESA... the benefit for people too sick, ill or disabled to currently work. Sicknotes would be required to claim the benefit for the initial phase which lasts approx 3 months (then you're given a work capability assessment to determine eligibility for the main phase of ESA).

jaimie_2

Thanks for replies. No children but wife is earning. Thing is it was appendix and it grumbled on for 2 weeks before I had to get it removed so I just feel that technically I was still employed even though I wasn't getting paid. I did go to the doctor about 2 weeks into the lay off so redundancy and operation coincided. Healing well so hope the doctor will sign me back as fit and at least I can get JSA. Got new wife, new mortgage, new house that's a money pit so here's hoping a new job comes my way.