had to resign at 64 , what now?

head_above_water

Basically I was due to retire in Sept . my job is manual and I have suffered from dermatitis for the last few years which flares up after using certain chemicals in work. since i started taking time off ( first time in 10 years) i have been bullied and basically forced out. I have been so stressed i and to wear a blood pressure monitor for 24 hours as my Dr was concerned how it peaked while in work.
so i resigned last week as i couldn't take it anymore.
I intend to seek work as i still have a mortgage but before I find work can I claim anything, or am i not allowed as i resigned. even though it was due to health reasons?
I also have a DMP with step change and I am concerned that the nasty letters and debt collector threats will start again but
Even with the stress of worrying about the mortgage my blood pressure is more stable.

tea-bag

Take it as early retirement, get on pension credit. Or apply for some supermarkets they love older workforce.

poppasmurf_bewdley

Pension Credit is the way to go. If you have no other income, it will provide about £150 pw, if you are single, or £230 if a couple, plus entitlement to full housing benefit/allowance and council tax benefit.

Apply immediately so you don't lose out. It could take a few weeks to come through.

pmlindyloo

Pension credit is a means tested benefit so if you have a partner that works their income will be taken into account.

Put your details into the benefit calculator on https://www.entitledto.co.uk to find out your entitlements.

If your OH's income takes you over the threshold to be awarded PC then you can apply for contribution based JSA.

Since you have resigned for health reasons then you may be able to show 'good reason' for having left your job voluntarily. A letter from your doctor explaining would be very useful.

benniebert

Pension Credit is seen as the 'softer' option. However JSA or ESA is there for those that are still of working age. Isn't what is being said no different to tax avoidance?


Why go through the hoops, assessments, sanctions and tribunals, when there is the 'easy' way to get your money with none of those conditions applying?


Suggests to me that there are double standards at play here.

rogerblack

head_above_water wrote: »

Basically I was due to retire in Sept . my job is manual and I have suffered from dermatitis for the last few years which flares up after using certain chemicals in work. since i started taking time off ( first time in 10 years) i have been bullied and basically forced out. I have been so stressed i and to wear a blood pressure monitor for 24 hours as my Dr was concerned how it peaked while in work.

An alternative step might be to claim ESA for a short period, with a note from the doctor saying 'stress/high blood pressure' or something - and 'avoid stressful employment'.

This would let you work-seek, with considerably fewer requirements on the form of that work-seeking (so it might even be more effective) for a period - and then if you - after the 13th week or so of this are not able to pass the test - continue work-seeking on JSA.
The fact you resigned would then not be an issue.
In principle, resigning on health grounds is allowed.
In practice, proving that this was why you did may be more difficult.

OhhToria

Did you contact StepChange and let them know the change in your circumstances? If not, it's a good idea to do that as they'll contact those companies you have debts with, which will elevate the number of demand letters you'll receive.

poppasmurf_bewdley

benniebert wrote: »

Pension Credit is seen as the 'softer' option. However JSA or ESA is there for those that are still of working age. Isn't what is being said no different to tax avoidance?


Why go through the hoops, assessments, sanctions and tribunals, when there is the 'easy' way to get your money with none of those conditions applying?


Suggests to me that there are double standards at play here.

You really are talking utter codswallop.

On this thread, you talk about Pension Credit being a soft option and 'double standards' whilst on another thread you support those who are trying to take the council taxpayer for a benefits ride by running a limited company that pays no wages.

The double standards are yours.

mardatha

My husband went on Pension Credit after his third heart attack caused by stress at work. We found them a joy to deal with on the phone and we had more than enough money to live on.

Poppops

head_above_water wrote: »

Basically I was due to retire in Sept . my job is manual and I have suffered from dermatitis for the last few years which flares up after using certain chemicals in work. since i started taking time off ( first time in 10 years) i have been bullied and basically forced out. I have been so stressed i and to wear a blood pressure monitor for 24 hours as my Dr was concerned how it peaked while in work.
so i resigned last week as i couldn't take it anymore.
I intend to seek work as i still have a mortgage but before I find work can I claim anything, or am i not allowed as i resigned. even though it was due to health reasons?
I also have a DMP with step change and I am concerned that the nasty letters and debt collector threats will start again but
Even with the stress of worrying about the mortgage my blood pressure is more stable.

OP, did you speak to your union/HR dept before resigning? Did you raise a grievance?

DO you have grounds to claim constructive dismissal?

head_above_water

Thanks for all your replies, I appreciate it. I have an appointment with the Union on Thursday as I was I seeing them anyway about the fact that had done nothing about my dermatitis. I will update them and go from there. My wife works, she is on a temporary contract until May after being made redundant in Jan. she earns £1,300 a month. I will contact step change but I am worried they will suggest becoming bankrupt as I will have no income. we have no savings apart from her redundancy which will tide us over for 3 months mortgage.

we have been thinking of selling the house to release some money and rent somewhere. we have never rented before and I am concerned about the credit check due to my step change agreements. its a shame as we have just 20 months left of a 25 year mortgage, we are up to date so maybe they will give us a break.

I am just so confused at the moment and don't know where to turn, I have never claimed a penny before i have worked since I was 16. i will look into pension credits, my wife had to go on JSA for 3 weeks before she had this temp job so she will know where to send me. Thanks again