Clinically Extremely Vulnerable

Becles

I'm disappointed that they haven't made furlough mandatory this time. I can't afford to go back on sickness benefits as my mortgage holiday has finished now and I'm single so just my wage coming in. Seems very harsh not being entitled to furlough, especially considering I've worked since I left college have paid into the system for nearly 30 years.

"There is a further group of people who are defined, also on medical grounds, as [clinically extremely vulnerable](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19) to coronavirus – that is, people with specific serious health conditions. Over this period, we are advising the CEV to work from home. If you cannot work from home, you are advised not to go to work and may be eligible for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) or Employment Support Allowance (ESA). "
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-national-restrictions-from-5-november

Yahoo_Mail

Well, it wasn't mandatory the first time so I'm not sure why anyone would think it would be this time.

We're not going to have the level of support we had in the first lockdown. It's not sustainable, so expect less support going forward, not more.

calcotti

Yahoo_Mail said: We're not going to have the level of support we had in the first lockdown. It's not sustainable, so expect less support going forward, not more.

The guidance published today appears to indicate that the extended CJRS will cost employers less than before (should they choose to use it). Looks like they have to pay NI and pension costs but government will pay 80% of the wage - but we’ll have to wait for more detail to know for sure. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-national-restrictions-from-5-november#financial-support

[Deleted User]

I'm confused, have you been on furlough until today anyway? If so is there any reason you aren't going to continue being on furlough?

If you have had a mortgage holiday throughout your furlough then are you not better off month to month anyway?

Dr_Crypto

They’ve been clear there will be no shielding this time.
It’ll be up to the employer if they furlough someone. 

Becles

[Deleted User] said:

I'm confused, have you been on furlough until today anyway? If so is there any reason you aren't going to continue being on furlough?

If you have had a mortgage holiday throughout your furlough then are you not better off month to month anyway?

No I was refused furlough for shielding by my employer. I claimed sickness benefits which was ok then as I had a mortgage holiday, then returned to work when shielding ended and I was no longer entitled to sickness benefits.

The mortgage holiday has ended now though. I cannot afford to pay the mortgage, utility bills and buy food on sickness benefits alone. Therefore I cannot afford to stop off work as per the guidance announced tonight.

Yahoo_Mail

calcotti said:

Yahoo_Mail said: We're not going to have the level of support we had in the first lockdown. It's not sustainable, so expect less support going forward, not more.

The guidance published today appears to indicate that the extended CJRS will cost employers less than before (should they choose to use it). Looks like they have to pay NI and pension costs but government will pay 80% of the wage - but we’ll have to wait for more detail to know for sure. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-national-restrictions-from-5-november#financial-support

Yes, I know they're going back to 80% furlough but on the whole, support is being reduced over time not maintained and certainly not increased.

Becles

Dr_Crypto said:

They’ve been clear there will be no shielding this time.
It’ll be up to the employer if they furlough someone. 

No shielding like last time so people can go outside to exercise, have company from a support bubble etc., to prevent loneliness and mental health reasons etc.

However they have said clinically extremely vulnerable should not attend work:
"If you cannot work from home, you are advised not to go to work and may be eligible for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) or Employment Support Allowance (ESA). "

[Deleted User]

Becles said:

[Deleted User] said:

I'm confused, have you been on furlough until today anyway? If so is there any reason you aren't going to continue being on furlough?

If you have had a mortgage holiday throughout your furlough then are you not better off month to month anyway?

No I was refused furlough for shielding by my employer. I claimed sickness benefits which was ok then as I had a mortgage holiday, then returned to work when shielding ended and I was no longer entitled to sickness benefits.

The mortgage holiday has ended now though. I cannot afford to pay the mortgage, utility bills and buy food on sickness benefits alone. Therefore I cannot afford to stop off work as per the guidance announced tonight.

Sorry to hear that, I misunderstood your first post and I can't give any guidance. This is where there is a massive gap in the government help schemes. 

mattyprice4004

While it is a big gap in the scheme, you’ll just have to decide which way to go with it - keep working, or voluntarily shield and take the hit. 

Good luck, but I don’t believe there’s an easy answer.

Dr_Crypto

Maybe the payment holidays will return? Hard to guess seeing as this is meant to be for one month only whereas the last time it was open ended (although at the start people thought it would be for a month only).