Never claimed UC before -- need advice

Fimmy

Hi guys. This is my first post here, made a forum account just to ask these questions.

I'm 25 years old. I've worked at the same company for the last 7 years - it's the only job i've ever had.
I won't say exactly where I work but I am a customer service advisor (a call centre operative) and I work for one of the largest residential energy companies in the UK - specifically in their insurance side of things.
I've always been able to deal with the job in my own way, it has never been a good or nice job but it's paid the bills and i've used that logic to force myself through dealing with the constant (and it is constant, we are probably one of the most hated businesses in the UK) abuse but i'm now struggling with my mental health.


It's looking like work are being unsympathetic as you can imagine and thus i'm most likely soon to be out of work.


What should I do here? Sign up for UC? My rent is pretty cheap as I live in a cheap area and it's a very unpleasant place to live (HMO..) but UC will not cover my rent let alone living costs while finding a new job.

I'm sorry to bother you all with such a vague question that i'm sure you've answered a million times before but i'm not sure what my next steps should be.

Thank you for taking your time to read this and any advice you can offer will be appreciated.

Fimmy

I'm sorry but I can't figure out if there's a way to edit my post but for clarification:
My employer currently has a significant portion of our workforce (all of our on-site workers essentially) are on strike and the extra stress from this is what I feel has pushed me truly over my breaking point. I've never seeked help from a doctor before for my mental health but I have an appointment on Friday (over the phone) with a doctor.. not sure what they'll say or what they'll do but i'm out of options here ultimately. 

pmlindyloo

This is actually more of an employment question than a benefits one at the moment.

I am assuming you are still going to work or working from home and being paid?

It is probably best to wait until you have spoken to the doctor on Friday.

If the doctor gives you a fit note (the old sick note) then this will give you some breathing space.  Your employer is legally required to pay you sick pay or maybe even contractual sick pay when you produce a fit note.  If you  only receive statutory sick pay then you can still claim for your rent by making an application for Universal Credit.  You will be entitled to the shared accommodation local housing allowance (you can look up this amount on your local council's website).

Since you have worked there for 7 years then the employer cannot just 'dismiss you' for no reason.

I do not know the state of your mental health and, of course, this must come first.  But do not resign as this could affect your ability to claim UC (more about this later if this happens)

So, basically, wait until you speak to the doctor and then you can return and we will give you further help if needed.

[Deleted User]

Hi OP As you work for a large company, could you check if have access to a telephone counselling line via your employment? I once worked for what would be a hated business but remember seeing on the paperwork you could access the tel counselling and that was for a much smaller company. Anyway I got to have a 2 week break and deleting my job accounts before needing to claim UC as I got offered another job fairly quickly. (there is still hope out there for new work) hoping you feel less stressed soon.