Giving up work for a while due to ill health

animalhouse

Hi, I've been diagnosed with cancer, am due to have some fairly major surgery and will be using a wheelchair for some time afterwards. I've been employed by with a company for less than 2 years so have 4 weeks at full pay while signed off and then will move to SSP. After that the company may hold my job for me, provided that I can assure them that I will be back within a given period of time, usually six months.

I've no experience of the DWP or how to claim any allowances.

These are my questions: if I lose my job because I can't go back soon enough for my company, would I be entitled to job seekers allowance?
DH feels that I shouldn't be worrying about money and should give up work and concentrate on getting through this and getting better - if I were to do this, would I be entitled to any benefits?
Would any entitlements be means tested against DH's salary?

DH says not to worry about money but I manage our finances and I worry about the effect of an interest rate rise on our mortgage ...in fact atm I worry about every darn thing apart from what's coming up in the next couple of weeks - hey ho

TELLIT01

Once your SSP ends you will be able to claim ESA so long as you continue to have medical certificates from your GP. Whether you would be entitled to Contribution based benefits is dependant on your National Insurance contributions in the qualifying years.
If you don't have an entitlement to Conts based benefits then Yes your husband's income will be taken into account when calculating entitlement to Income Related benefits.

fishybusiness

Apply for PIP, you may be granted an award without interview if you are going through treatment - I was.

NeilCr

Contact MacMillan. They will likely have a benefits adviser who can help you sort these things out

I hope it all goes well for you