Confusing situation but can't get hold of anyone to seek advice.

Becksta88

Hello,

To get up to speed, my husband was involved in a motorcycle accident August  2019. He is still waiting on full reconstructive surgery on his knee. (Unfortunately it was an injury missed by hospital, he had a broken pelvis which took priority). At the time, he was in full time employment working in a production factory. He spent some months off work recovering, but when he returned they accommodated for him, occu health provided physio and to be honest, looked after him very well under the circumstances.

Fast forward to the pandemic. He was furloughed like many, but on 31/07/20 his employment was terminated as with everyone else within his area at work (he wasn't targeted because of his injury). As he was agency, they have found him other work, but they require qualifications that he does not possess. (An example being HG1 driver, yet does not have anything near suitable on his driving licence).

So, for August he is not had any source of income. Next week he is due a loss of earnings payment from the agency, but we really don't anticipate it being much. 

I have been working from home since March (now 35 weeks pregnant) and will be going on to Maternity Leave in the next 5 weeks. We have looked at online calculators to see where we stand, but it basically comes up that I earn too much. I have some savings, but that is for me to cover my part of the bills when I'm off work. I have been saving for this very purpose as soon as I learnt we were expecting.

My husband has applied for a ridiculous amount of jobs. But I understand there are multiple people applying for the same job. He only has experience in factory/labour work which then impacts on his knee injury. He cannot stand for long periods and his knee can go at any time on him. Also, the operation he is waiting on results in 9 months recovery, so this is something he needs to disclose to the employer. He's applied for office type jobs, but with no experience whatsoever, he's never received any response from them.

We are home owners with a mortgage. My salary will assist for the time being, but very quickly my pay will drop and then before you know it I'm on SMP. My savings will only cover my half, not enough to support our family for long.

We have tried CAB but we never seem to manage to speak to anyone. We have left our details for a call back, but again no reply back.

This situation we face is completely alien to us, can anyone advise where we can go and what he can be entitled to? Has anyone else been in a similar situation?

If you have read this far, thank you.

calcotti

Husband is may be able to claim either new style JSA as a job seeker.  Alternatively, if he has a Fit Note from GP saying he has a health condition limiting his ability to work, he may be entitled to SSP from the agency or new style ESA.
Both JSA and ESA are based on past NI contributions and are not means tested. Relevant years of NI will be 2017-18 and 2018-19.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-style-jobseekers-allowance
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/work/rights-at-work/sick-pay/check-if-youre-entitled-to-sick-pay/
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-style-employment-and-support-allowance

When you used the calculators and you say you earn too much was that based on what you will be getting when you are on maternity?

Galloglass

JSA will provide an income for your daily needs but your mortgage won't be covered by benefits (SMI). The timing is unfortunate but you have somewhere to live, some form of income, and some savings. As support goes, you will be low on the list compared to others.

There is more of a practical approach needed which is why this thread may be better off in one of the other forums for suggestions about managing within a budget and what to do about outstanding commitments such as the mortgage or any HP. It is all survivable but uncomfortable in the short term. Your own health and your partner's health is far more important and creditors such as banks have been here before even if you haven't. 

So budget first or a Statement of Account and pop over to one of the other forums about how to deal with creditors in the short term

Becksta88

calcotti said:

Husband is may be able to claim either new style JSA as a job seeker.  Alternatively, if he has a Fit Note from GP saying he has a health condition limiting his ability to work, he may be entitled to SSP from the agency or new style ESA.
Both JSA and ESA are based on past NI contributions and are not means tested. Relevant years of NI will be 2017-18 and 2018-19.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-style-jobseekers-allowance
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/work/rights-at-work/sick-pay/check-if-youre-entitled-to-sick-pay/
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-style-employment-and-support-allowance

When you used the calculators and you say you earn too much was that based on what you will be getting when you are on maternity?

Thank you for your reply.

We done the calculation based on our present situation, depending on when baby arrives and ML kicks in pay wise we should be fine for the rest of 2020.