SSP and Housing Benefit

Montgomery278

Hypothetical Question:

I'm in full time employment but my employer only provides statutory sick pay. If I find myself unable to work for a number of weeks (eg. broken leg), would i be able to claim housing benefit for the duration of my sick leave?

As things currently stand, SSP doesn't even cover my rent & utility payments so should I be in a situation where I can't work for a month or two... I'd be financially screwed.

poppy12345

No, you can no longer make a new claim for housing benefit, unless you either live in supported or temporary housing. You will need to claim Universal Credit. If you live with a partner you claim as a couple and both your circumstances will be taken into consideration.

If you claim UC you should report a health condition at the start and make sure you send in a fit note from your GP within 7 days. However, if your health condition is more short term then you won't need to report the health condition.

If you don't have children on your claim then you won't currently have the work allowance, which means your SSP will reduce your UC entitlement by 55%.

Use a benefits calculator to check entitlement. https://www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator/Intro/Home?cid=00c5994d-d9eb-46b0-94cb-283196c09f7c

Alice_Holt

Very unlikely, new HB claims are only accepted in very limited situations for working age claimants.

You would be looking at claiming UC to get help with housing costs.
UC is calculated monthly (not weekly as HB), and is paid in arrears.  

tizerbelle

Montgomery278 said:

Hypothetical Question:

I'm in full time employment but my employer only provides statutory sick pay. If I find myself unable to work for a number of weeks (eg. broken leg), would i be able to claim housing benefit for the duration of my sick leave?

As things currently stand, SSP doesn't even cover my rent & utility payments so should I be in a situation where I can't work for a month or two... I'd be financially screwed.

Hypothetical or no - welcome to the financial risks many millions(?) of other people face. 

You could purchase an income protection policy but they tend to be rather costly especially if you want them to start paying out after a matter of weeks rather than months. 

The IMO more sensible/positive thing to do is save up an emergency fund to cover your outgoings for 3/6 months should this situation ever arise.

Montgomery278

tizerbelle said:

...
The IMO more sensible/positive thing to do is save up an emergency fund to cover your outgoings for 3/6 months should this situation ever arise.

What I'm trying to do is get my employer to make us eligible for their company sick pay scheme. It's only a small percentage of staff who don't qualify so it's hardly going to break the bank... and those of us who don't qualify are their lowest paid so saving up isn't the easiest option. Same with taking out insurance... it's just gonna squeeze what's already a very tight monthly budget.

comeandgo

Montgomery278 said:

tizerbelle said:

...
The IMO more sensible/positive thing to do is save up an emergency fund to cover your outgoings for 3/6 months should this situation ever arise.

What I'm trying to do is get my employer to make us eligible for their company sick pay scheme. It's only a small percentage of staff who don't qualify so it's hardly going to break the bank... and those of us who don't qualify are their lowest paid so saving up isn't the easiest option. Same with taking out insurance... it's just gonna squeeze what's already a very tight monthly budget.

How are you going about that?  Are you a union member?

Montgomery278

Just by emailing my concerns to the relevant departments (AKA pi**ing into the wind) and by drawing attention to the fact that certain colleagues only get SSP amongst the lower ranks (most are unaware). The employer doesn't make it clear on their recruitment pages so I'm asking for more clarity there. I get the feeling it's a policy they're not proud of. 

I'm not a union member (yet).