Fit Note and DWP

dazzh

Hi,

I'm looking for some advice and clarification, hope somebody can help.

I have been off work for 6 months due to taking a heart attack and having surgery.

I work for the NHS and am due to go onto half pay. My manager has stated that I should just send him a copy of my Fit Note and take the original to my local DWP.

However if I'm going onto half pay why would I hand the Fit Note into the DWP.

My wife is in full time employment and we don't claim any benefits.

Any advice gratefully received.

Thanks

nannytone_2

i dont see any reason why youd take it to the DWP unless you want to claim contributions based ESA

sheeps68

dazzh wrote: »

Hi,

I'm looking for some advice and clarification, hope somebody can help.

I have been off work for 6 months due to taking a heart attack and having surgery.

I work for the NHS and am due to go onto half pay. My manager has stated that I should just send him a copy of my Fit Note and take the original to my local DWP.

However if I'm going onto half pay why would I hand the Fit Note into the DWP.

My wife is in full time employment and we don't claim any benefits.

Any advice gratefully received.

Thanks

If you have been off sick for 6 months you do need to claim ESA if only so your National Insurance is paid as after 28 weeks your employer will stop paying you SSP. At this point your National Insurance will stop being paid.
When you claim ESA you need to send them your original copy. You will need to get a copy of a SSP1 from your employer. They should issue this around 5 - 6 weeks before your SSP runs out but they may need a reminder.

I'm in same position of having to claim ESA due to my SSP expiring hence just ahead of you and got this information.

pmlindyloo

After 28 weeks your statutory sick pay ends.

It is then that you can claim ESA. If you are eligible for contribution based ESA then you can claim this as well as your contractual sick pay.

Many people do not realise this so it's good that your employer is aware.

http://www.bristol.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/financial_help_and_benefits/WRAMAS%20ESA%20How%20to%20claim%202012_0.pdf/

dazzh

sheeps68 wrote: »

If you have been off sick for 6 months you do need to claim ESA if only so your National Insurance is paid as after 28 weeks your employer will stop paying you SSP. At this point your National Insurance will stop being paid.
When you claim ESA you need to send them your original copy. You will need to get a copy of a SSP1 from your employer. They should issue this around 5 - 6 weeks before your SSP runs out but they may need a reminder.

I'm in same position of having to claim ESA due to my SSP expiring hence just ahead of you and got this information.

Thanks for the replies, it really is appreciated.

I go onto half pay on 19th Dec 2014. I have not received any SSP1 from my employer so I'll chase this up.

Do I then take them into my local DWP?

Mrs_Ryan

I was in exactly the same position as you not so long ago so it's unfortunately fresh in my memory!
You need to call up your payroll and ask them when your SSP runs out. You the need to ask them for the SSP1. Be prepared for them to drag their feet. Mine took five weeks to send mine! When you have a date of ending you can phone the DWP and claim Conts Based ESA. Make sure you tell them you are still employed and receiving half pay. You then need to send them your fit note- send a copy to your manager and a copy to the address the DWP will provide.
I hope that your trust are better than mine were because mine screwed up awfully. While they took ages to send my SSP1 they screwed up my wages as well- hopefully yours won't...

sheeps68

Your SSP expiring and your going onto half pay may bizarrely be different dates. Mine was almost 3 weeks different. I don't understand that but it doesn't matter as DWP will work on the SSP expiry date.

TELLIT01

The reason for the different dates of 1/2 pay and SSP ending is that full pay generally ends after 26 weeks and SSP is paid for 28 weeks.
You don't need to wait for the SSP1 to arrive if your employer can tell you the date SSP will end. When you have that info call 0800 055 6688 and select the option for ESA. That is definitely the quickest way to claim. The alternative is to request a claim form which can take a week to arrive (probably longer with the Christmas post).
As you will only be claiming Contribution based benefit they don't need a great deal of information. If you have any pension income they will need to know how much.