moved back to the UK, out of work, with crohn's disease

gazza554

Hi,

I have been living in Canada on a youth visa for the past two years, I have recently got back to England and I am out of work (for the first time in my life), I have crohn's disease and my doctor isn't sure if i am able to claim anything because of that. Also since I got back home I was rushed into A&E because of my crohn's and kept in overnight.

As well as my condition, is there anything I can claim while out of work?

thanks

Darksparkle

What are your circumstances?

Age?
Partner/Single?
Children?
Renting/Mortgage?
How long have you been back in UK?

thorsoak

When did you last pay NI contributions in the UK?

pmlindyloo

On returning to the UK in order to claim means tested benefits you need to pass the habitually residence test. You will not be able to claim benefits for the first 3 months so you need to get in an application for benefits now.

Depending on whether you are fit for work you can put in a claim for Job Seekers Allowance or employment Support Allowance (if doctor will issue a fit note). Also housing benefit and council tax reduction if they apply. All of these are subject to the HRT and are means tested (subject to capital/savings rules

Read this

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/coming-from-abroad-and-claiming-benefits-the-habitual-residence-test/british-and-irish-citizens-claiming-benefits/

Personal Independence Payment (not means tested) requires you to be in Great Britain for the last 2 out of 3 years so would not apply.

Hopefully you have family friends who can support you whilst you wait for benefits or you will be able to find some work if your illness is 'managed'.

specialboy

Read up on crohns, it's not something that will affect you all the time, you could have flair ups for weeks then nothing for years so should be able to hold a job with no problem.

TELLIT01

pmlindyloo wrote: »

On returning to the UK in order to claim means tested benefits you need to pass the habitually residence test. You will not be able to claim benefits for the first 3 months so you need to get in an application for benefits now.

If he's been back in the UK less than 3 months there is no point in putting a claim for JSA in now, it will automatically fail on a pure residency period. It won't even get as far as having an HRT interview.. I'm not sure about the qualifying period on ESA

gazza554

thorsoak wrote: »

When did you last pay NI contributions in the UK?

It would be over 2 years ago now

Darksparkle wrote: »

What are your circumstances?

Age?
Partner/Single?
Children?
Renting/Mortgage?
How long have you been back in UK?

I am 28, I have a partner but she is Canadian, living here on a youth mobility visa so cannot claim any government benefits.
I do not have any children and I have been back in the UK for just over 1 month now.

specialboy wrote: »

Read up on crohns, it's not something that will affect you all the time, you could have flair ups for weeks then nothing for years so should be able to hold a job with no problem.

Depending on how bad the crohn's is yes. I have had 2 major bowel operations, and even though I am lucky enough to not have had my entire bowels removed and been fitted with a bag, I have and a large portion of my bowels removed, and even without the flare ups, when I need to go to the toilet, I NEED TO GO. I could not down a job that requires me to wait until a break before I go to the toilet or even wait for someone to come back from break. Granted its not all the time but on average I need to visit the bathroom around 15-20 times per day.

Darksparkle

gazza554 wrote: »

It would be over 2 years ago now




I am 28, I have a partner but she is Canadian, living here on a youth mobility visa so cannot claim any government benefits.
I do not have any children and I have been back in the UK for just over 1 month now.




Depending on how bad the crohn's is yes. I have had 2 major bowel operations, and even though I am lucky enough to not have had my entire bowels removed and been fitted with a bag, I have and a large portion of my bowels removed, and even without the flare ups, when I need to go to the toilet, I NEED TO GO. I could not down a job that requires me to wait until a break before I go to the toilet or even wait for someone to come back from break. Granted its not all the time but on average I need to visit the bathroom around 15-20 times per day.

I've worked with a few people with Crohns, they don't need to wait for a break. When they need to go they go. Adjustments are made for them to be able to do so.

MissMoneypenny

gazza554 wrote: »

I am 28, I have a partner but she is Canadian, living here on a youth mobility visa so cannot claim any government benefits.

That Tier 5 visa is a work visa. Even though she is not allowed to claim UK public funds, her income will be used in your calculations for any income based benefits (when you have been back for 3 months) as she is expected to keep you.

You will not be able to take the couple rate of Housing Benefit because that would be a breach of her visa conditions.
http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/housing_benefit_and_local_housing_allowance/what_is_housing_benefit/housing_benefit_if_you_are_under_35

List of benefits that she must not take, even through your claim.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/public-funds--2/public-funds

Redacted

specialboy wrote: »

Read up on crohns, it's not something that will affect you all the time, you could have flair ups for weeks then nothing for years so should be able to hold a job with no problem.

As with any illness, if you're not particularly familiar with it, you should probably reserve judgement on how easy or difficult it is to live with or work with. A quick read on the internet does not an expert make you.

Redacted

gazza554 wrote: »

Hi,

I have been living in Canada on a youth visa for the past two years, I have recently got back to England and I am out of work (for the first time in my life), I have crohn's disease and my doctor isn't sure if i am able to claim anything because of that. Also since I got back home I was rushed into A&E because of my crohn's and kept in overnight.

As well as my condition, is there anything I can claim while out of work?

thanks

NACC produces a range of useful guides, including ones about benefits, which you may wish to familiarise yourself with. However, as others have said, your biggest hurdle right now is the lack of time you've been in the uk.