on statutory sick pay..am I entitled to more help?

theholeymoley

After recently breaking my ankle I have found myself on statutory sick pay for a foreseeable 2-3 month period. As a private, single renter SSP does not even cover my rent.
With some savings but below the £16,000 threshold does anybody know if I am entitled to any other financial assistance?
Thanks in advance!

When_the_going_gets_tough

You may be able to apply for housing benefit and council tax reduction so have a word with your local council

Indie_Kid

Do you have a working partner?

theholeymoley

Thanks for your replies, I'm 28 years old, normally work 40 hours a week, and I don't have a working partner. I'll get in touch with my local council tomorrow thanks, any housing benefit would be really helpful!

Indie_Kid

blondebubbles wrote: »

If you earn less than £13000 you may get working tax credit.

Not if you're off sick.

Indie_Kid

blondebubbles wrote: »

That is incorrect.

How? You wouldn't be able to make a claim for WTC now whilst off sick.

Housing_Benefit_Officer

If you claim Housing Benefit, could afford the rent when you moved in and haven't claimed Housing Benefit in the past 52 weeks then the full eligible rent will be used to calculate your Housing Benefit entitlement - after 13 weeks they will use the SRR rate of Local Housing Allowance.

paddedjohn

blondebubbles wrote: »

Why?

If you're off work for 28 weeks or less
You can carry on claiming Working Tax Credit for the first 28 weeks that you're off work. This is as long as you were working the minimum number of hours for your circumstances, immediately before going off work. One of the following will also need to apply:
you get a specific sickness or disability benefit - or would do but you don’t qualify because you're self-employed
you receive National Insurance credits awarded because of incapacity for work, or limited capability for work (how your illness or disability affects the amount and type of work you can do)
The specific sickness or disability benefits are:
Statutory Sick Pay
Income Support paid because of incapacity for work
Employment and Support Allowance

That says you can CARRY ON claiming wtc for 28 weeks, it doesn't say you can put a new claim in.

nellienellie

Speak to someone at Citizen's Advice. They are very good in helping to complete the necessary forms.

theholeymoley

Hello, my earnings are above 13,000 so it appears i wouldn't be eligible for wtc. I've just been in touch with my local council and they're sending out forms today regarding rent and council tax assistance. Thanks for all your help in this matter :-)