Desperate for help Key worker firlough

knottshome

Hi I am a home care worker, but i am also in the venerable category and received an nhs letter. I want to go to work, I love me job and want to help during this pandemic but am vunerable and need to isolate for 12 weeks. I've sent my letter to my employer to see if i can be furloughed for this time. But have been told that I'm a key worker so will only get sick pay. This seems so unfair given the circumstance. 
Any advice please.

[Deleted User]

I sympathise (care worker also) but I don't think there is much you can do as technically you are still able to go to work.  If you live alone and not able to pay your bills there may be other benefits you can claim for?  Have a look at the Government website. But I doubt you will qualify for the furlough scheme?    

calcotti

Tedber said:

I sympathise (care worker also) but I don't think there is much you can do as technically you are still able to go to work.  If you live alone and not able to pay your bills there may be other benefits you can claim for?  Have a look at the Government website. But I doubt you will qualify for the furlough scheme?    

As they have had a shielding letter they are legally entitled to be treated as sick and are entitled to SSP. I am not clear how this would affect entitlement to contractual sick pay if applicable.

knottshome

Tedber said:

I sympathise (care worker also) but I don't think there is much you can do as technically you are still able to go to work.  If you live alone and not able to pay your bills there may be other benefits you can claim for?  Have a look at the Government website. But I doubt you will qualify for the furlough scheme?    

But I'm not allowed to work. I HAVE to stay in.

[Deleted User]

Apologies knottshome.  I failed to see you have a shielding letter.  I don't know what you can do.   Good luck

unholyangel

calcotti said:

Tedber said:

I sympathise (care worker also) but I don't think there is much you can do as technically you are still able to go to work.  If you live alone and not able to pay your bills there may be other benefits you can claim for?  Have a look at the Government website. But I doubt you will qualify for the furlough scheme?    

As they have had a shielding letter they are legally entitled to be treated as sick and are entitled to SSP. I am not clear how this would affect entitlement to contractual sick pay if applicable.

Home care workers aren't that well compensated usually. They're usually minimum wage or close to it with only the statutory minimum for leave (annual, sick, maternity etc) being paid. 

It actually occurred to me the other night how unfair it is that a vast number of what are considered "key worker" roles are so poorly paid. If they're key, then surely that should be reflected in their pay. Just another way of proving that cost does not always correlate to value. 

bradders1983

knottshome said:

Tedber said:

I sympathise (care worker also) but I don't think there is much you can do as technically you are still able to go to work.  If you live alone and not able to pay your bills there may be other benefits you can claim for?  Have a look at the Government website. But I doubt you will qualify for the furlough scheme?    

But I'm not allowed to work. I HAVE to stay in.

Well to be pedantic you legally can work, the letter is merely a suggestion for your own benefit. Its not against the law for you to work. But obviously that is up to you.

unforeseen

It's a very strong suggestion because the virus has a very good chance of being fatal if caught by somebody in the extremely vulnerable group. A care home environment where close contact with a number of people would be a recipe for disaster. Look at the multiple deaths in care homes where the people, for the most part, are only in the vulnerable rather than extremely vulnerable group. 
Any employer allowing a shielded person to carry on working would be leaving themselves open especially in a care home environment. 

bradders1983

unforeseen said:

It's a very strong suggestion because the virus has a very good chance of being fatal if caught by somebody in the extremely vulnerable group. A care home environment where close contact with a number of people would be a recipe for disaster. Look at the multiple deaths in care homes where the people, for the most part, are only in the vulnerable rather than extremely vulnerable group. 
Any employer allowing a shielded person to carry on working would be leaving themselves open especially in a care home environment. 

Of course. Merely saying its not enshrined in law that she HAS to stay at home.

I have no doubt that there are people out there who got the letter who are still going out, doing the shop, working etc. 

Mrsn

It is unfair but it is also correct unfortunately. If your finances are going to struggle then please take a look at one of the benefit entitlement calculators such as entitled to or turn2us to see if you are eligible for any other help. You should also speak to your council about possible council tax reduction. 

Be aware that if you do current claim tax credits and you decided to claim universal credit then your claim for tax credits will end.

trixie73

The care home where I work has put all those with a shielding letter on furlough. Didn't know this could be done if their jobs were still available.