SSP Sickness Benefit

sarn_4

I've been signed off sick for 3 months so far (which my firm has paid me for). As of last week I have been signed off for a further 3 months with carpal tunnel, rsi and tenosynovitis. I've been told that I have to live on the 60 pound per week sickness benefit that the government give you, until I get put on the Permanent Health Insurance Scheme that the firm have, but this can take up to 6 months! Now, I want to know if there is anything else I can claim, because unfortunately I cannot afford to pay my 500 pound per month mortgage on 240 per month benefit.

It's amazing, I pay about 800 pound NI and Tax each month, and all I get is 60 quid a week. Does anyone else know if I can claim anything else. I am single and don't have any children.

Looking forward to your replies.

Fran

One thing you could do is have a word with your mortgage lender about temporarily reducing your payments. It might be worth you posting on the "Mortgages" board as they will have other suggestions to do with this. Have you got a spare room that you are willing/able to let out?

Regarding benefits you should check whether you are entitled to Council Tax Benefit. After 6 months on SSP you will be entitled to Incapacity Benefit, but this won't increase your income. If this is going to be an ongoing problem that means you can't do things, you may be entitled to Disability Living Allowance. It's worth going to your local Citizens Advice Bureau or other welfare benefits advice centre in your area who will be able to look at your overall situation.

Good luck.

You will find some useful information if you look at the "sticky, locked" threads at the top of this board - "Incapacity Benefit" and "Disability Living Allowance". There are many useful links that Ted has given other people about these benefits.

sarn_4

Thanks very much for your help Fran. Doesn't look like it's going to be a good time ahead does it? How are people expected to live?

bright_side

Hi, I am currently on ssp following breaking my ankle whilst at work. I have noticed that my 'in work credit' payment of £40 a week has stopped and I can't get hold of the department I need to find out if it has stopped because I am off sick. I'd only been back in work 5 weeks when it happened! Can anyone help me with this please?

healy

As this thread is nearly 4 years old you may get a better response if you start a new thread.

bright_side

oops sorry didn't realise. I thought we had to stick to the threads already on the board, my mistake

DAVEB_2

sarn wrote: »

I've been signed off sick for 3 months so far (which my firm has paid me for). As of last week I have been signed off for a further 3 months with carpal tunnel, rsi and tenosynovitis. I've been told that I have to live on the 60 pound per week sickness benefit that the government give you, until I get put on the Permanent Health Insurance Scheme that the firm have, but this can take up to 6 months! Now, I want to know if there is anything else I can claim, because unfortunately I cannot afford to pay my 500 pound per month mortgage on 240 per month benefit.

It's amazing, I pay about 800 pound NI and Tax each month, and all I get is 60 quid a week. Does anyone else know if I can claim anything else. I am single and don't have any children.

Looking forward to your replies.

Hi
You say that you pay about 800 pound NI and Tax each month,so that means you must have been earning thousands! You have been out of work for 3 months and your telling me that you can`t afford to pay your morgage! Where did all the money that you were earning go??? Your single,etc etc.Why did you not save for a rainy day? I earn 800 a month full stop and i manage fine.The point is,you should have saved some money mate instead of blowing it all.
Regards...

dmg24

DAVEB, this post is from 2004. Hopefully sarn is better now and back at work.