Unable to work after Surgery

Hevding

I was due to have ACL reconstruction surgery on my knee and I was expecting to have quite a bit of notice but they called me up with a cancellation and I had 2 days notice. (Surgery is tomorrow)

I'm wondering if there is a benefit I can claim? I'm pretty sure I can't claim SSP as I don't earn over £107 per week and I'm technically no longer employed. I also have my own business but I'm currently making £0 a week! The business is not registered yet, and I have a loan to pay back which is the main reason I need income during this time.

Due to the short notice I have had to leave my job (They told me when I am able to work again they will most likely be able to re hire me) I am fine with this, I was never under contract.

I looked at Employment and Support Allowance but that seems more long term than I'm looking for.

I was told by the surgeon I'd be unable to work for about 4-6 weeks so that's the kind of time span I'm looking to claim for.

I would have phoned the number on directgov but the lines are only open mon-fri.

Any advice would be gratefully received, thanks.

nannytone_2

ESA is the benefit you need if youre inable to claim SSP

Muttleythefrog

Yeah... it sounds like ESA may be appropriate here. ESA is that which should typically be claimed if you cannot work due to sickness etc and SSP isn't available or has run out or is irrelevant. If you do claim ESA then there is an assessment phase of 13 weeks... I think therefore it is reasonable to say you may not reach the end of that. The assessment phase as such describes the period during which entitlement is driven by doctor sicknotes rather than any assessment... the assessment itself occurs (hopefully!) at around the end of the 13 weeks... but many months longer than that are reported with delays.

So unless you receive advice to the contrary it seems like applying for ESA is sensible if you can get sicknotes to cover you. Applying is easy enough.

eligibility http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Illorinjured/DG_171891

applying http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Illorinjured/DG_172014

KiKi

Hevding wrote: »

Due to the short notice I have had to leave my job (They told me when I am able to work again they will most likely be able to re hire me) I am fine with this, I was never under contract.

Just to say (in case it helps), you were under contract because you worked there. Therefore you should have been managed under their sickness policy, as it wouldn't be an issue of dismissal, even with notice.

Did you resign because you were told to? Or because you couldn't claim anything if you were still employed?

KiKi