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Booked for op' means 3 months off work, only SSP

Hi, not sure if this is the right place to post this or whether it should be in the 'Benefits' section?

My husband is due to have an op' in June for a shoulder tear. This is a crucial op' as the pain has been very bad for a few years. He's in the building trade. His employer doesn't pay sick pay so he will only get SSP £88 per week.

We have managed to save a bit over the past few years and I do as many extra shifts as I can, we also live frugally.

I wondered whether there's any other help we can get. He's initially booked off work for 3 months as advised by the surgeon, though could be longer. I've looked online and it doesn't mention any other benefits. We have a small mortgage and our 2 youngest are still at home in full time education.

I'm sure there are so many people in this situation, some without any savings. I'm trying not to stress about it but the longer we can stretch our savings the better, especially as I've read it can be upto a year to recover.

Thanks in advance

Comments

  • Darksparkle
    Darksparkle Posts: 5,465 Forumite
    If getting SSP then he won't be entitled to ESA.

    As you haven't mentioned your hours or household income it's difficult to tell you what else you'd be entitled to. Have you tried a benefit calculator?

    http://www.entitledto.co.uk
  • lisa110rry
    lisa110rry Posts: 1,794 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker Mortgage-free Glee!
    I am truly sorry to hear this nifty. I completely understand. I work in the construction industry for a consultancy and my terms state no automatic entitlement to pay when off work sick. I had my foot rebuilt in March 2014, and was meant to be off 12 weeks but I knew that was impossible. Luckily because I don't do a manual job I was able to manage with a wheelchair in my office and only had two days off (for which I was paid). Are you certain your husband's employer will not pay him at least for a while? Can he take some of the time as holiday? If he's just started a new holiday entitlement year on 1st April as we have, perhaps this is possible?

    Although our contracts state no automatic entitlement to pay, our MD has always paid at least one month when anyone was genuinely ill - I did not avail myself of that because my role in the firm is a bit pivotal.
    “And all shall be well. And all shall be well. And all manner of things shall be exceeding well.”
    ― Julian of Norwich
    In other words, Don't Panic!
  • pmduk
    pmduk Posts: 10,655 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Does he belong to a union? They can sometimes help in these circumstances
  • ohreally
    ohreally Posts: 7,525 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Construction industry joint council has a scheme that pays "155pw if off sick.

    https://www.ucatt.org.uk/cijc-construction-industry-joint-council-working-rule-agreement
    Don’t be a can’t, be a can.
  • You might be entitled to extra child tax credit - you can ring up about a change of circumstances. You might also be entitled to council tax reductiion - look on your local council website. There are also quite a few charitable grants available - try the turn to us website or see if there is a builders charity.
  • TELLIT01
    TELLIT01 Posts: 17,504 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Name Dropper PPI Party Pooper
    If you don't work he may be able to claim Income Support as top up to SSP. It won't be much, but every little will help.
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