What benefits can I claim?

MrsSpoon

Hi There,

I'm wondering if anyone can shed any light on what I can claim? Back in January I broke my hip and have been off work since. My employer paid my basic wage up until mid may and since then, have been paid all sorts of payments! My employer has income protection insurance that covers half of my basic wage. However, the claim is still in progress, therefore I have been paid Statuary Sick Pay. I have a claim in for Working Tax Credits but, that only covers me until 31st July because of the long term sickness. I am also claiming Housing Benefit which varies month to month, depending on my income. I basically would like to know what I can claim from 01st August? The insurance is only £680 per month! I am single and live in a privately rented, 1 bedroomed flat. Surely there must be more than just housing benefit I can claim! Any help would be very much appreciated!

pmlindyloo

MrsSpoon wrote: »

Hi There,

I'm wondering if anyone can shed any light on what I can claim? Back in January I broke my hip and have been off work since. My employer paid my basic wage up until mid may and since then, have been paid all sorts of payments! My employer has income protection insurance that covers half of my basic wage. However, the claim is still in progress, therefore I have been paid Statuary Sick Pay. I have a claim in for Working Tax Credits but, that only covers me until 31st July because of the long term sickness. I am also claiming Housing Benefit which varies month to month, depending on my income. I basically would like to know what I can claim from 01st August? The insurance is only £680 per month! I am single and live in a privately rented, 1 bedroomed flat. Surely there must be more than just housing benefit I can claim! Any help would be very much appreciated!

How long are you going to be paid 'sick pay'? I am assuming the 'insurance' is classed as sick pay. What does I say in your contract.

When you no longer receive sick pay (if this is what it is) then you can put in a claim for contribution based Employment Support Allowance if you have paid sufficient NI contributions during the last two tax years. This is not means tested so any savings/other income will not be taken into account.

Other than HB and Council Tax Reduction then there are no other benefits unless you have specific care needs in which case you may be entitled to personal Independence Payment. However, this really depends on how long those care needs may last for. When do you expect to return to work?

MrsSpoon

Thank you!
Well, it's all a little confusing to be honest! At the moment, my wage slip is showing Statuary Sick Pay and my employer is paying the difference until the claim has gone through, that is showing as 'leave entitlement'. The insurance is through a third party and they pay my employer, because of that, I don't know how it will appear on my wage slip, basic or sickness!
I don't think I will get back to work until mid September.