UNUM Group income Protection Claim

Pyrok

Hi All, its been a while since I had the need to raise a topic on this forum.

In Simple terms, I have been off work for 6 months due to stress and a breakdown, at the time of falling ill, I was working full time, (and still am) but signed off sick.

the matter where I need a view/help is this; my work place has paid me my monthly salary every months for 6 months while off sick, last payment was 21st of Dec. From December on words, I have been passed on to the Group Income insurance, which is with UNUM.

the forms where pretty much straight forward, I ticked the boxes, gave them all the "rights" to get medical records and so on and so forth I also added to the form that I feel its time for me to start to reduce the medications and to work towards a way back into work since I do fell better - and I'm of the view that it would be really beneficial to get back to some sort of normality, I gave the forms to my HR rep at work, to my surprise she said that It could take up to 2 months to get any payments and that it could be rejected as well. Which I thought was really bad to say since I have provided medical certificates while sick.

my job is my only source of income, if these guys take more than a month to review or approve or even reject it, I will be in serious financial dire straights I have stressed this to the HR rep and she looked really un-interested. its as if the fact that I have been off sick with Depression and a breakdown has for some reason demoted me from being looked at as a valuable employee.

I know it will take time to get a response, but what are my options? start chasing the HR rep of the UNUM rep? just as view the HR rep is pointing me to the UNUM.

Look forward to get some advise on this matter, i'm really concerned.

nannytone_2

if you have sufficient NI contributions, and your doctor still deems you unfit for work and will provide a fit note, you can claim contributions based ESA.
after SSP has run out

Pyrok

Thank you Nannytone, forgive my ignorance here but what are ESA? and where do I go about claiming them?

nannytone_2

[employment and support allowance. sickness benefit by another name. apply by calling the DWP ( department for work and pensions)/B]

Pyrok

many thanks for the advise