Very Poorly wife

auroraonline

Hi all,
Last thursday evening, while out shopping, my wife collapsed. This was due to a bleed from a brain aneurysm. For the last week she has been kept sedated, and as yet, we have no idea of the extent of the damage caused by the bleed. Although my wife is at the nearest neurological ward, it is a 100 mile round trip, that I make daily.
We have 3 young children at home, and I was the bread winner.
So far i have had to take a weeks holiday, as there is no sick time policy on my contract.

Can/when do I need to apply for any disability/carers allowance that may be available to us.

Thanks
Ryan

KatrinaWaves

PIP, the new disability benefit will not apply yet as the criteria is something you have had for 3 months and be expected to have for at least another 9. There is some discretion with terminal illnesses, but hopefully this is not the case. Therefore there will be no entitlement to carers allowance either.

Sick pay isn't really applicable as you are not sick. Are you planning to return to work, or are you looking at out of work benefits?

auroraonline

I would like to return to work, but with a young family, and my wife in hospital for what could be a significant amount of time, I have effectively become a single parent, and continuing to work, may not be an option.

I also fear that my wife will require round the clock care when she comes home.

xylophone

It seems to me that nothing can be decided until the extent of your wife's disability is known.

Are there any family members who can assist with the care of the children?

Did your wife have a pension scheme? If she is too disabled to work again, it might be looking into any provision for early payment on grounds of ill health.

There are benefits available for those who suffer from disability and for their carers.

https://www.headway.org.uk/about-brain-injury/individuals/types-of-brain-injury/brain-haemorrhage/ It might be worth a call?

pmlindyloo

What a horrible time for you.

If you have no family/friends who can help in this situation then you should talk to your employer and see if they are willing to help you. There is no right to be paid for compassionate leave but most employers in these circumstances would be reasonable.

An alternative is to ask your doctor to supply a sick note for you - a little 'naughty' I know - but 'stress' is the usual condition that is put down in these cases (and not untrue since you are, no doubt, very stressed)

Your employer would then have to pay your statutory sick pay if there is no contractual sick pay.

Are you claiming any benefits at the moment?

margaretclare

I also fear that my wife will require round the clock care when she comes home.

When or IF she comes home.


I am so sorry. Listen to the people in charge of your wife's care/treatment.



It happened to a friend of mine a couple of years ago.

Alice_Holt

Just to add that if your wife would qualify for PIP:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/before-claiming/check-you-are-eligible/
And once her care needs and eligibility are more apparent.

It is worth applying before the three months, so that the claim is ready for payment once that period has passed.

Try to get help with the PIP form. if possible.

A PIP award may enable you to claim Carers Allowance.

If your wife was working in the 2 previous tax years, then she may be able claim New Style ESA:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-style-employment-and-support-allowance

Once things are clearer, and you have had the discussion with your employer that pmlinyloo has suggested, it may be worth a visit to an advice agency / CAB for a benefits check.

Best wishes.

auroraonline

Hi all

Thanks, I have spoken to my employers and they are more than happy to pretty much create a part time job for me while the kids are in school. Not sure how this will work once they’re on holiday or my wife comes home. But it’s certainly a weight of my shoulders.

I just need to look into what effect this change will have on my tax credits.

Cheers again

Ryan

[Deleted User]

Can you do any part of your job at home, on a laptop or pc? Would your employer be willing to enable this?

Very sorry to hear what has happened.

The hospital may have a specialist counsellor that will advise on how to handle the questions from your children and help you deal with things. I had something happen years ago and the person we talked to helped a lot.

w06

Sorry for your troubles OP.

It sounds as though you have a good and understanding employer, i'd recommend keeping the lines of communication open with them and working with them to help it work in both directions as much as possible.

A sick note for you isn't the route to follow - because it's not you who is ill, although as suggested above the effect of the stress on you may ultimately mean that that's not the case, make sure to be kind to yourself to try to prevent that.

If you have less than £16k in savings and your income becomes low you may be entitled to Universal Credit, the application process is online.

from a practical point of view it's worth making sure your friends and neighbours are aware of the situation. Many may want and be able to offer practical help, as I'm sure you and your wife would if the tables were reversed, especially with your youngsters whilst things are so difficult.

sheramber

w06 wrote: »

Sorry for your troubles OP.

It sounds as though you have a good and understanding employer, i'd recommend keeping the lines of communication open with them and working with them to help it work in both directions as much as possible.

A sick note for you isn't the route to follow - because it's not you who is ill, although as suggested above the effect of the stress on you may ultimately mean that that's not the case, make sure to be kind to yourself to try to prevent that.

If you have less than £16k in savings and your income becomes low you may be entitled to Universal Credit, the application process is online.

from a practical point of view it's worth making sure your friends and neighbours are aware of the situation. Many may want and be able to offer practical help, as I'm sure you and your wife would if the tables were reversed, especially with your youngsters whilst things are so difficult.

The OP has indicated he os getting tax credits so UC is not appropriate.