Self employment and sick pay

Clutterfree

Hi All,
Wondered if anyone can help please?

My husband (47) had a heart attack yesterday morning, they've operated and hopefully he should make a full recovery.

However, because he is an electrician the doctors think he will be off work 4-6 weeks as he will not be able to lift, etc.

He is self employed, so no work = no money coming in.
I don't believe he is entitled to any sick pay because that's not for the self-employed but is he entitled to anything?

I am employed but through his business so again that will be affected but I know I won't be entitled to claim anything.

We have 2 children.
One is 20 lives at home but is employed.
The other is 18 and is starting uni next month so our outgoings will be going up to help pay towards his accommodation and food, etc.

In the grand scheme of things it seems silly to be worrying about stuff like this right now but I can't sleep so I'm trying to be pro-active.

Thank you for any advice.

Darksparkle

He should look into contributions based esa if he has paid sufficient nic.

https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/types-of-esa

prowla

It is perfectly sensible to be worrying about that and to make sure you understand the entitlements.

If hubby (and best wishes on the recovery!) has contributed into the system then he is entitled to the available benefits. (I don't suppose he had any insurance to cover illness?)

I can't say what any benefits are, but you be as proactive as you like!

theartfullodger

Your local CaB may be able to advise on this & other related matters.
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/how-we-provide-advice/advice/search-for-your-local-citizens-advice/

Best wishes to you all.

Clutterfree

prowla wrote: »

It is perfectly sensible to be worrying about that and to make sure you understand the entitlements.

If hubby (and best wishes on the recovery!) has contributed into the system then he is entitled to the available benefits. (I don't suppose he had any insurance to cover illness?)

I can't say what any benefits are, but you be as proactive as you like!

Thank you.

No only insurance for permanent disability, loss or sight, limbs, etc not actual illness.

I'm also worried because he will be letting a lot of customers down on jobs he's started but won't be able to finish for a while. If they can't wait and have to employ someone else then they probably won't pay him for the work he's already done, just at a time we need it most.

I'll just have to contact them, send out interim invoices and hope they will understand it's beyond our control.

Annie35

thoughts are with your husband.

Like you say he wont get ssp but self employed people can get ESA, maybe start there. Here are a couple of links that may help. Maybe also look at incapacity benefit if its linked to heart disease.
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/benefits-for-people-who-are-sick-or-disabled/#h-employment-and-support-allowance

https://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/living-with-a-heart-condition/money-issues


I dont know if its possible/an idea but could you go onto JSA in the meantime, as in you dont have a job unless Mr Clutterfree works, so could you process yourself as redundant?

Clutterfree

Thank you.
No I won't feel right claiming JSA because there is no way I'd be able to be actively looking for work right now.

I'm so grateful that we were lucky enough to pay off our mortgage last year so that takes some pressure off.

warby68

Does your husband not have some 'friendly competitors' ie other electricians that he passes work to/gets it from if either are too busy? Would they be able to take some of his jobs and be fair about the payments? Your customers might be more inclined to pay you as planned if you've helped sort something out for them rather than just saying he can't come indefinitely.

We have a trade business, that deals with other trades too, and there are quite a few 'arrangements' out there. My husband has a few people he can pick the phone up to in an emergency. Maybe yours has the same.

Appreciate you're stressed and also probably quite shocked but also want to keep busy so this might be productive. Also discuss it with your husband (to the extent he is medically able) and work a plan together rather than worry separately. I know you won't want to burden him but he'll be worried sick anyway.

If you have any urgent bills let the creditors know what's happened - financial institutions have specialist teams now to help when customers have some vulnerability. Is your son's student finance sorted - will your lack of income prompt any changes?

Hope that isn't a bombardment - I know its only Day 1 but I'm sure its hard to think straight. Sorry I don't know about benefits but do claim what you can as soon as you can and don't feel guilty. You work and pay your way so this is what they are for.

Hope your husband makes a full recovery

Pennywise

When you say "self employed", is he a sole trader, a partnership or trading via a limited company?

xylophone

When you say "self employed", is he a sole trader, a partnership or trading via a limited company?

The OP says

I am employed but through his business

so I am wondering whether they are both employees of his company?

xylophone

My husband (47) had a heart attack yesterday morning, they've operated and hopefully he should make a full recovery.

He may do very well indeed.

Some family friends are just celebrating their Golden Wedding - the husband had a heart attack over thirty years ago...as it happens, one of their children was diagnosed with leukaemia, survived, and twenty years on will be celebrating with them....the wonders of medicine!