Sheilding

Calomi

After being sent home from work because of being vulnerable initially on full pay for 10 weeks, I now have to go on to sap which is less than half my pay.   Can I claim any benefits?  My husband is retired, gets state pension and private pension and in the past unable to claim pension credit.  We still have rent (private landlord) to pay and without my pay we will struggle.  Money has been given to all groups apart from pensioners, shopping is more expensive having to do it online and having to have minimum spend.  My work has also said that they could use holiday entitlement but has had no consultation and can’t then work until next April with no holiday.  Still no sign of returning to work either. 

calcotti

Are you Pension age or working age?
if you are working age then the benefit you would have to look at is a joint claim for Universal Credit.

A benefit calculator will help you assess entitlement https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators. There may be none.

poppy12345

Calomi said:

 Money has been given to all groups apart from pensioners, shopping is more expensive having to do it online and having to have minimum spend.

I don't think that's correct. Those that are still claiming the legacy benefits such as ESA/JSA and Income Support were also left out too. I've actually saved money by being in lockdown because there's no shops open to spend my money. Minimum shopping online is usually £25 but surely between 2 your shopping is more than £25 per week?

You say you were sent home from work because you're vulnerable, did you have the shielding letter from the NHS?

Calomi

Not of pension age yet, but in the past never been entitled to anything. 

Minimum spend on shopping to get delivered is £40, so buying items we don’t really need to make it up. 

And no didn’t get a letter from nhs about sheilding, 

yksi

Any reason your husband can't do the shopping for you? I apologise if he is also vulnerable, but you didn't mention it, and millions of people across the country have been shopping for vulnerable family members for some time now. He will have to take precautions but life does need to go on at some point.

As for your own work have they not put measures into place to try to make it possible for you to return to work safely? I accept that it isn't possible for all types of work, but many workplaces have made adjustments and it is not unreasonable to expect managers to make arrangements if it is at all possible. Even my own work now has a very vulnerable staff member back (supermarket), she is wearing a full face shield, works only behind the till screen and of course has standard further PPE. As you are not on the current NHS vulnerable list, it is expected that you should be going back to work providing it is safe, and we are all having to accept that we can't shut down all work indefinitely.

suki1964

Calomi said:

Not of pension age yet, but in the past never been entitled to anything. 

Minimum spend on shopping to get delivered is £40, so buying items we don’t really need to make it up. 

And no didn’t get a letter from nhs about sheilding, 

So one has to ask, who's shielding in your household?

We have to shield mother, but we don't have to be tied to the house never going out, Up till I was furloughed I was working and going out each week to the supermarket

Mother couldn't go out , she can from Monday, and we had to take care not to bring the virus home which although a bit of a flaff has been easy enough. Theres thousands of people working whilst they have a shielded person in the household 

I doubt you will be entitled to anything as you have to out a claim in as a couple and your husbands pensions plus your SSP may just put you over the limit. But you may get some HB and Rate help so its worth trying

calcotti

Calomi said:

Not of pension age yet, but in the past never been entitled to anything. 

Minimum spend on shopping to get delivered is £40, so buying items we don’t really need to make it up. 

And no didn’t get a letter from nhs about sheilding, 

Given that your income has now dropped it is possible you qualify for something. Use a benefit calculator to assess your situation. The relevant benefits are Universal Credit and a Council Tax Reduction.
I am not clear whether it’s your choice to stay away from work or your employer’s.

jackieblack

Calomi said:

Minimum spend on shopping to get delivered is £40, so buying items we don’t really need to make it up. 

Maybe shop less often?
 I only shop fortnightly, most things keep well in the fridge or can be frozen.  

unforeseen

Calomi said:

Not of pension age yet, but in the past never been entitled to anything. 

Minimum spend on shopping to get delivered is £40, so buying items we don’t really need to make it up. 

And no didn’t get a letter from nhs about sheilding, 

So why are you shielding? It is only the extremely vulnerable that have been told to shield

In this situation you are only self-isolating which is a personal choice. Your employer, up to now, has been very generous in continuing to pay you rather than putting you on SSP immediately.
I suggest you go back to work. Millions who are in the vulnerable group are carrying on working. 

sharpe106

Your original post is to complain that no money has gone to pensioners but yet you are not a pensioner yourself. Granted your husband might be but that would not change what you are entitled to. Although as others have said why are you shielding if you never got the letter? Was it by choice or by your employers choice? If it was by your choice then SSP is all you are entitled to if it was employer choice could be a bit more difficult, depending on what your contract says. 

LilElvis

Calomi said:

Not of pension age yet, but in the past never been entitled to anything. 

Minimum spend on shopping to get delivered is £40, so buying items we don’t really need to make it up. 

And no didn’t get a letter from nhs about sheilding, 

If you didn't receive the shielding letter then you aren't entitled to SSP as it's only available to those with the letter, those self isolating because they have symptoms or living with someone who does and those who have been signed off work with a fit note from their GP 

https://www.gov.uk/statutory-sick-pay/what-youll-get

If your employer doesn't wish you to return to work then they should either pay you your full pay or place you on furlough.