Benefits available for mentally unwell friend?

System

Work can be good for mental health (and physical) - it gets you out interacting with people, gives you things to focus on, and helps normalise people

If they quit work they may end up dwelling on it and feeling like it defines them

jetplane

Poppie68 wrote: »

No the NHS pay your normal full pay for 6 months then halve her normal pay for a further 6 months, she would then claim SSP for up to 28 weeks which is £88 per week.

I don't think this is correct, contractual sick pay (full pay) includes SSP which is payable for 28 weeks, then the employee claims ESA and receives half pay which does not include any sick pay.

edit: sorry for some reason my post took ages to load I didn't intend to repeat what others have said.

tomtontom

Poppie68 wrote: »

No the NHS pay your normal full pay for 6 months then halve her normal pay for a further 6 months, she would then claim SSP for up to 28 weeks which is £88 per week.

SSP is definitely paid as part of the full pay sick leave, not at the end of it. So the lady will be coming to the end of her entitlement now.

OP, I'm not sure what she expects her employer to do if she has not told them about the OCD. Also OCD *may* be classed as a disability, it depends on how it affects her. From what you have said it is likely it would qualify, and occupational health tend to err on the side of caution in such cases.

kitrat

beecher2 wrote: »

Good luck - I know it can be really frustrating, especially when you're getting information second hand. Are you able to attend the meeting with her? Even if you were unable to speak, you'd at least know what the options were.

Yes and it's all very complex, it's been going on for 1yr+ and I can't even remember all the convoluted details.

I'm not sure if I could go with her, I feel a bit out of my depth, that's why a union rep would be good. Also her employers are my employers though we work in separate fields and tbh I'm a bit nervous about what this would look like on me, I know that's awful. Not sure if she'd even want me there.

kitrat

tomtontom wrote: »

SSP is definitely paid as part of the full pay sick leave, not at the end of it. So the lady will be coming to the end of her entitlement now.

OP, I'm not sure what she expects her employer to do if she has not told them about the OCD. Also OCD *may* be classed as a disability, it depends on how it affects her. From what you have said it is likely it would qualify, and occupational health tend to err on the side of caution in such cases.

They know about the OCD I just want her to bring up the fact it is a disability (On gov website https://www.gov.uk/when-mental-health-condition-becomes-disability), combined with depression and stress it is affecting her severely, she has been suicidal. She is on a waiting list to see a psychologist but it's 1yr long

I don't know what her last involvement with occy health was but maybe it calls for another meeting.

tomtontom

kitrat wrote: »

Yes and it's all very complex, it's been going on for 1yr+ and I can't even remember all the convoluted details.

I'm not sure if I could go with her, I feel a bit out of my depth, that's why a union rep would be good. Also her employers are my employers though we work in separate fields and tbh I'm a bit nervous about what this would look like on me, I know that's awful. Not sure if she'd even want me there.

It's worth offering, if you're comfortable with it, let her know you won't be offended if she says no.

I once had someone invite themselves into my sickness meeting, and I didn't have the strength to say no. That was uncomfortable!

Poppie68

tomtontom wrote: »

SSP is definitely paid as part of the full pay sick leave, not at the end of it. So the lady will be coming to the end of her entitlement now.

OP, I'm not sure what she expects her employer to do if she has not told them about the OCD. Also OCD *may* be classed as a disability, it depends on how it affects her. From what you have said it is likely it would qualify, and occupational health tend to err on the side of caution in such cases.

Thanks for the info, sorry Op I wasn't aware of that....

kitrat

MatthewAinsworth wrote: »

Work can be good for mental health (and physical) - it gets you out interacting with people, gives you things to focus on, and helps normalise people

If they quit work they may end up dwelling on it and feeling like it defines them

I agree but it's no good if the type of work you do is pushing you over the edge. I think movement to another team should be considered as a reasonable adjustment (similar but different type of work, away from the task she struggles with), she has discussed this with HR who said they'd find out for her but they have just gone AWOL.

kitrat

Poppie68 wrote: »

Thanks for the info, sorry Op I wasn't aware of that....

No problem

beecher2

kitrat wrote: »

Yes and it's all very complex, it's been going on for 1yr+ and I can't even remember all the convoluted details.

I'm not sure if I could go with her, I feel a bit out of my depth, that's why a union rep would be good. Also her employers are my employers though we work in separate fields and tbh I'm a bit nervous about what this would look like on me, I know that's awful. Not sure if she'd even want me there.

It's not awful at all and there's also a fairly strong argument against getting that involved in something which you can't solve. I suppose all you can do is suggest a union rep, suggest taking bullet points in, and suggest a visit to Citizens Advice if she does decide to resign. I've been in similar situations where I've given advice which has then been ignored, and it can become difficult to deal with.