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Is there any more support other than SSP in this situation?
KiKi
Posts: 5,381 Forumite
Hi, hoping someone can answer this question. I know nothing about the benefits system, so apologies if this is obvious.
A relative of mine has just been diagnosed with cancer. He'll get SSP, but there's no contractual sick pay. His prognosis is good, but he's been advised by the oncologist that he can't go to work whilst having chemo, as his particular workplace will be high risk - esp in the current environment! He's on min wage and has no savings. He is single and doesn't receive any benefits.
Are there any options for benefits other than SSP in this circumstance during the time he is ill and can't work? I'm not expecting there to be, and he has no sense of entitlement about it. I just thought I'd ask on his behalf as a way of trying to help in case there is.
Thanks if you can answer the question.
KiKi
A relative of mine has just been diagnosed with cancer. He'll get SSP, but there's no contractual sick pay. His prognosis is good, but he's been advised by the oncologist that he can't go to work whilst having chemo, as his particular workplace will be high risk - esp in the current environment! He's on min wage and has no savings. He is single and doesn't receive any benefits.
Are there any options for benefits other than SSP in this circumstance during the time he is ill and can't work? I'm not expecting there to be, and he has no sense of entitlement about it. I just thought I'd ask on his behalf as a way of trying to help in case there is.
Thanks if you can answer the question.
KiKi
' <-- See that? It's called an apostrophe. It does not mean "hey, look out, here comes an S".
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He can claim Universal Credit. This will initially give him a modest amount of extra money per month (about £6 assuming he is aged 25 or over) plus help with his rent (if applicable). He should get a Fit Note from his GP to support his claim. As he is receiving chemotherapy he will automatically be treated as having Limited Capability for Work and Work Related Activity. He will then have a Work Allowance which means some of the SSP will be completely ignored and the UC will go up. From the fourth month he will also be paid the LCWRA element (£336.20/month).
He will also be able to claim Council Tax Reduction from his local authority if he is a Council Tax payer.
Information I post is for England unless otherwise stated. Some rules may be different in other parts of UK.1 -
PIP?0
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Thank you so much for your reply. He is 50. He won't need help with rent as he lives with relatives, so whilst he pays them, there's no formal agreement. I'm absolutely certain they will allow him not to pay for that time.calcotti said:He can claim Universal Credit. This will initially give him a modest amount of extra money per month (about £6 assuming he is aged 25 or over) plus help with his rent (if applicable). He should get a Fit Note from his GP to support his claim. As he is receiving chemotherapy he will automatically be treated as having Limited Capability for Work and Work Related Activity. He will then have a Work Allowance which means some of the SSP will be completely ignored and the UC will go up. From the fourth month he will also be paid the LCWRA element (£336.20/month).
So just to clarify, even though he is still employed and off sick, he can claim Universal Credit. For the first 3 months that will be c£6 on top of SSP, but from month 4 that would go up? He will not be able to work any time that he's having chemo. (After that, it will be surgery, and possibly radiotherapy, but he could possibly work during that time, assuming he's well enough.) I can go investigate UC in more detail, of course, but if you happen to know off the top of your head that would be amazing!
Thanks for your help.
KiKi' <-- See that? It's called an apostrophe. It does not mean "hey, look out, here comes an S".0 -
About £60/month initially. First payment after 5 weeks. Needs to claim online and needs a Fit Note to Support the claim. Once he has been found to have LCWRA it will go up because his SSP will be completely ignored (as he is not claiming Housing costs) so he will get £317/month (on top of SSP). From the fourth month he will get £652/month (plus SSP until the SSP ends).KiKi said:.So just to clarify, even though he is still employed and off sick, he can claim Universal Credit. For the first 3 months that will be c£6 on top of SSP, but from month 4 that would go up? He will not be able to work any time that he's having chemo. (After that, it will be surgery, and possibly radiotherapy, but he could possibly work during that time, assuming he's well enough.) I can go investigate UC in more detail, of course, but if you happen to know off the top of your head that would be amazing!
Thanks for your help.
KiKiInformation I post is for England unless otherwise stated. Some rules may be different in other parts of UK.2 -
That's just amazing, thank you so much for your help, it's so appreciated. Will pass on the info.
KiKi' <-- See that? It's called an apostrophe. It does not mean "hey, look out, here comes an S".0 -
Figures I previously mentioned will go up by about £80/month as a result of today’s emergency package of measures announced by the chancellor.Information I post is for England unless otherwise stated. Some rules may be different in other parts of UK.0
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