Can I claim uc if I leave work for health reasons

Cam05

I'm struggling with major mental health issues, if I leave my job and claim uc will I be sanctioned if so how long for, I've read there is different sanction rules if you leave a job before claiming uc
I have a wife who works and a child 12

Browntoa

Have you a medical diagnosis of your health problems ?

Have you been advised you should not work or been signed off by a doctor ?

Cam05

I'm currently still working but am under the mental health team but life is getting harder,

Alice_Holt

You may be better looking at any eligibility to New Style ESA first (should you have to end work and after your SSP finishes), :
https://www.gov.uk/how-to-claim-new-style-esa

Do you rent?
If so are you in receipt of HB?
Will you be eligible to receive SSP?

Do you receive Child Tax Credits for your child?
If so, this will end if you claim UC.

You need to give more info for people to help you determine if a UC claim will result in your household being better off.

I would suggest a face to face benefits check at your local advice charity.

Or use these:
https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators

When you go to your local CAB, ask about PIP:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/before-claiming/check-you-are-eligible/

Edited as OP has told us he is still in work

Cam05

We don't receive any help at the moment as we earn to much, I'm not sure what way to turn, I've checked a benefits calculator we would be entitled to about £400 a month, I just want to know what the sanction might be, it says 3 months, but that's if you leave your job while claiming uc, I just wanted to know would the sanction be longer if I was applying for uc for the first time because I left, thank you

Alice_Holt

Cam05 wrote: »

We don't receive any help at the moment as we earn to much, I'm not sure what way to turn, I've checked a benefits calculator we would be entitled to about £400 a month, I just want to know what the sanction might be, it says 3 months, but that's if you leave your job while claiming uc, I just wanted to know would the sanction be longer if I was applying for uc for the first time because I left, thank you

Claiming New Style ESA would not involve any sanctions as you are claiming because you are unfit for work.

More difficult to give info about sanctions with UC. In theory I would hope not, if you are supplying fit notes, but I think it can depend on your job coach.

New Style ESA is around £317 pm, and you can claim both New Style ESA & UC. If on SSP there may be an entitlement to UC (as UC entitlement will be increased by the child addition), this would be worth checking if you have to claim SSP due to illness.

Do you have the NI contributions to claim New Style ESA?

Have you looked at the PIP link I posted?
Do you understand you may be able to claim that now, as it is not means tested (like UC)?

Because this may be complicated, I repeat my clear recommendation that if you are unable to continue work due to poor mental health, you should get F2F benefit advice

Cam05

I thought the sanctions on new style esa come under the same sanctions as uc

Alice_Holt

Cam05 wrote: »

I thought the sanctions on new style esa come under the same sanctions as uc

No. Completely different.
Claiming New Style ESA would not involve any sanctions for leaving work as you are claiming because you are unfit for work.


Have you looked at the PIP link I posted?
It is not means tested (like UC), rather it is paid to compensate for additional costs that come with an long-term illness / disability.



As your have had no involvement with a complex benefits system before, you would clearly benefit from F2F help when you do need benefit advice.

calcotti

Can you get a Fit Note from your GP and go off sick from your job? You will then get SSP and can claim UC as a top up. You will continue to accrue holiday entitlement while off sick and it gives you a chance to decide over the next few months whether or not you might be able to return to work in the future.

Cam05

I could get signed off but I'm unsure if I did I would go back, I just wanted to know if I claimed uc after leaving if it would be sanctioned,I've read 13 weeks if you leave a job while on uc, I wondered what it might be if it was a new claim.
Also with my wife's earnings over the aet threshold working full time and I was not working what groups we might be put in
I've heard something about the light touch regime

calcotti

If you claim UC having given up a job you can be sanctioned for 13 weeks from the date you resign. However if you have a Fit Note and are claiming because you are ill I would not expect you to be sanctioned - however, as Alice has been said, it will be down to a Decision Maker. As as also been said if you claim new style ESA you cannot be sanctioned for having left your job. ESA is £73.10/week initially, rising to £111.65/week after 13 weeks if you are found to have Limited a Capability for Work and Work Related Activity.