what do i do?options please.

dava123

i have worked since i was 16,now in am 52.for the past 12 years i have been working a night shift.and my wife has been looking after our 3 children.15/13and 10,now my wife passed away 2 months ago and i have been looking after the kids.no problem there,since she died i have been on the sick with full pay,but this wont last forever,i have asked them to finish me,so i can claim something rent council tax etc etc.but they wont do it,if i finish on my own accord i cant get anything so i am told.my sick note runs out next week and i am required to go back to work again on my night shift, but i cant leave the kids home alone,is there anyone out there who can help me?i have been to the cab,they cant do a thing until i finish work,of they stop my sick pay and i go ssp,i cant live on that my rent is more than they pay,i am now at my wits end cant sleep,eat or do anything productive at the moment and my emotions are all over the place.
sorry if i am all over the place with this but you get what i mean.
Cheers.

Southend1

Sorry to hear about your wife. Sounds like you need to find a new job with more suitable hours. Unless there is any way you can transfer to a day shift? Have you asked?

dava123

they want me to go on days,but its a 24/7 firm,it will be less money and shortened hours,what do i do during the school holidays,hospital apps etc etc.there is only me to look after them,

Marshmallow82

dava123 wrote: »

,i have asked them to finish me,so i can claim something rent council tax etc etc.but they wont do it,if i finish on my own accord i cant get anything so i am told.

No, that's not correct. Your housing benefit application would be based on income, whether you resigned or were dismissed is irrelevant. You can also apply for child tax credits and child benefit.

There are benefits available to widows, I believe there is a guide on here somewhere.

Southend1

If I were you I would go on days for now and at the same time look for a more suitable job elsewhere. As marshmallow says, check your entitlements to tax credits and other benefits too.

Lioness_Twinkletoes

I can imagine this must seen like a problem too far, but it is not insurmountable. Your 15 and 13 year old are, in all likelihood, old enough to take care of themselves before and after school and they can look out for their younger sibling.

There are clubs, childminders and a whole raft of other options for holidays. Dentist/hospital appointments can be managed by way of leave.

Check your benefit entitlement but for the sake of the family you need to remain in employment. Not only for the money you earn, but also to maintain a sense of normality for your family.

ohreally

Lioness_Twinkletoes wrote: »

Your 15 and 13 year old are old enough to take care of themselves before and after school and they can look out for their younger sibling

There's not enough information to draw that conclusion.


Op, sorry to hear of your circumstances.

Try some of the single parent charities for advice http://www.gingerbread.org.uk there may be others more local, ask as CAB.

On a practical note, set a meeting with your employers and put some suggestions to them that may ease your burden while asking for their input/ suggestions.

dava123

thanks for the reply's.the next question is,on nov 17th i went on days and less hours to 30.now i was on nights until that day and my holiday pay was ot that rate,i am now using all my holidays up 12 days and now they are paying me on the new rate,can this be right? after all i accumulated the holidays over the year on nights not days.