I can't live off SSP

Connar

(I was told it may be better to post this here)

I have been off work for 2 and a half months now and my last sick pay came in at £305. My rent is a little over this a month, so as you can see I'm in a little bit of a pickle.

Is there any financial aid I can get on top of SSP?
I'm off work due to stress and anxiety and this has all of a sudden been dumped on me and is making things a lot harder for me.

I am extremely grateful for any help/advice you may be able to give.

Thank you in advance.

Connar

Caz3121

do you live alone? is it private rented? how large is the property? are you over 35?
You may be entitled to some housing benefit / council tax benefit depending on the answers

Connar

I'm 25 and live with a student and another full time worker in a 4 bedroom house with 2 bathrooms and a single communal living area. I claim no other benefits, so have no other means of income. The house is private rented

RAS

have you checked www.turn2us.org.uk?

Is your rental agreement for the whole house (joint and several liability) or for a room with shared facilities?

Connar

I tried that website but some of the information it needs I don't have and it can be fairly confusing. I pay for the room with shared facilites

nannytone_2

you need to find out the LHA rate for shared accomodation in your area.
then apply through your local council. you can also apply for council tax support through your local council too

RAS

Connar wrote: »

I tried that website but some of the information it needs I don't have and it can be fairly confusing. I pay for the room with shared facilites

Find the LHA rate for a shared room (as your situation is known) here https://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/search.aspx

The LL should be paying the CT bill as this is an HMO for CT purposes.

paddedjohn

Do you have any holiday entitlement accrued at work? if so you can take it while you are on the sick meaning you get more cash for a short time.

sniggings

paddedjohn wrote: »

Do you have any holiday entitlement accrued at work? if so you can take it while you are on the sick meaning you get more cash for a short time.

is that allowed? I know at my last job, if you were sick on a holiday you got the holiday back, I can't see how a holiday can be said to be taken when you are sick?

Housing_Benefit_Officer

You should qualify for some help towards your rent. Phone you local council or see if they have an online claim form.

paddedjohn

sniggings wrote: »

is that allowed? I know at my last job, if you were sick on a holiday you got the holiday back, I can't see how a holiday can be said to be taken when you are sick?

From the GOV.UK web site.

Other aspects of holiday entitlement

Workers have the right to:

• get paid for leave
• build up (‘accrue’) holiday entitlement during maternity, paternity and adoption leave
• build up holiday entitlement while off work sick
• choose to take holiday at the same time as sick leave