Leave job due to mental health 22 January at 1:29PM in Benefits & tax credits 11 replies 815 views

level200

Hi Everyone.
I have been in a long term job for 21 years. Over the last few years I have been suffering from mental health issues with therapist encouraging me to leave the job for my own health. I agree with this as unable to function fully and give my best.

I have debt and not sure if I can claim any benefits if I leave the job. Can anyone give any help of advice please.

poppy12345

You need to look at claiming SSP from your employer for 28 weeks before doing anything else. As you've been in the same job for so long i don't advise you to just hand in your notice. You should get some expert advice before handing your notice in, ACAS is a good place to start. You'll need a fit note to send to your employer. https://www.gov.uk/statutory-sick-pay/eligibility

You can look at entitlement to Universal Credit but if you live with a partner you'll need to claim as a couple. If you have savings/capital of more than £16,000 you're excluded from claiming. Use a benefits calculator to check entitlement. https://www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator/Intro/Home?cid=7a47df69-e97e-4a85-b033-b4b8b947b76a If you do claim UC then you should report your health condition, supported by a fit note within 7 days and continue to send them without any gaps until a decision is made on your work capability assessment.

3 months before your SSP ends you can claim New style ESA with your SSP1 form and a fit note. You can't be paid anything until your SSP ends but at least the claim will be in. If you claim both benefits together the ESA is deducted in full from any UC entitlement.

Council tax reduction can be claimed from your local Authority. You should also look into PIP, it's a disability benefit for those with a health condition that affects their daily life. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/

https://pipinfo.net/

Rubyroobs

It depends on your situation really. It would be beneficial for you to claim any sick pay you are entitled to first. Then when all ssp has been paid ( this would run for 28 weeks ), you could claim a contributions based benefit like new style ESA assuming you have paid sufficient NI contributions over the past 2-3 years. Or you can look at Universal credit which is means tested. if you have savings over 16k you cannot make a claim for UC. If you have rent to pay then you would need to claim Uc for help with rent. If you have a working partner then their benefits may rule you out of claiming UC as there earnings would affect any Uc entitlement. If claiming either ESA or UC oyu would need to submit sick notes if you are unfit for work and wait to be assessed for work capability.

sevenhills

level200 said:

Hi Everyone.
I have been in a long term job for 21 years. Over the last few years I have been suffering from mental health issues with therapist encouraging me to leave the job for my own health. I agree with this as unable to function fully and give my best.

I have debt and not sure if I can claim any benefits if I leave the job. Can anyone give any help of advice please.

It's a brave thing for a therapist to recommend. What alternative source of income do they foresee you will live on?
Are you close to retirement age? I have always believed that work is good for people. Keeping busy and more exercise, but your therapist should know your situation better than online strangers.

Muttleythefrog

sevenhills said:

level200 said:

Hi Everyone.
I have been in a long term job for 21 years. Over the last few years I have been suffering from mental health issues with therapist encouraging me to leave the job for my own health. I agree with this as unable to function fully and give my best.

I have debt and not sure if I can claim any benefits if I leave the job. Can anyone give any help of advice please.

It's a brave thing for a therapist to recommend. What alternative source of income do they foresee you will live on?
Are you close to retirement age? I have always believed that work is good for people. Keeping busy and more exercise, but your therapist should know your situation better than online strangers.

It is brave.. not least because mental health is often tied to financial problems (which the Op already has).. but I think you just have to accept that work isn't always good for people. 

Agree with Poppy's advice... and this buys you time to further pursue therapy without taking any dramatic decisions. Also opens up chance to perhaps speak with employer... after all that service they hopefully would be sympathetic to any support, adaptions you might need to continue in work... but it isn't clear sitting here obviously how much it is the work environment or job that is a factor in your current difficulties (on one hand your phrasing suggests perhaps not much related.. but the therapist advice implies to me key). 

gwynlas

You do not have to say what your job is but ut appears remarkable that you worked there for so long without it causing you issues unless of course your problems are not with work rather that you feel you are unable to give your best. Given your length of service is there any hope that your employer could manage you out on capability grounds rather than you resigning?. Will you be capable of another job or are you likely to be off on long term sickness?. I also find it very strange that a therapist would make such a life changing recommendation.

calcotti

gwynlas said:

You do not have to say what your job is but ut appears remarkable that you worked there for so long without it causing you issues ..

Our needs and general situation change over 21 years - I have no doubt the nature of the job will have changed over that time too. 

NedS

You are likely protected under the Equality Act as you have a disability (mental health). As such, your employer is legally required to make reasonable adjustments for you.

Before you leave your job, have you discussed with your employer any reasonable adjustments they could put in place that would make working easier for you and allow you to stay in work? Your therapist may also be able to advise in this regard, and requesting an occupational health assessment at work may also be beneficial to identify adjustments that could be made for you.

If your employer is not reasonably able to make adjustments to keep you in your current job, they should consider moving you to another role within the company that you are able to do.

TELLIT01

gwynlas said:

but ut appears remarkable that you worked there for so long without it causing you issues unless of course your problems are not with work rather that you feel you are unable to give your best.

Not in the least remarkable.  I don't imagine many jobs have remained unchanged for over 20 years.  Year on year companies expect more and more from staff, often without additional resources in order to do the extra. 

NedS

TELLIT01 said:

gwynlas said:

but ut appears remarkable that you worked there for so long without it causing you issues unless of course your problems are not with work rather that you feel you are unable to give your best.

Not in the least remarkable.  I don't imagine many jobs have remained unchanged for over 20 years.  Year on year companies expect more and more from staff, often without additional resources in order to do the extra. 

Indeed. Also not uncommon for people with mental health conditions to be able to function normally for very long periods between episodes of poor mental health.

Murphybear

sevenhills said:

level200 said:

Hi Everyone.
I have been in a long term job for 21 years. Over the last few years I have been suffering from mental health issues with therapist encouraging me to leave the job for my own health. I agree with this as unable to function fully and give my best.

I have debt and not sure if I can claim any benefits if I leave the job. Can anyone give any help of advice please.

It's a brave thing for a therapist to recommend. What alternative source of income do they foresee you will live on?
Are you close to retirement age? I have always believed that work is good for people. Keeping busy and more exercise, but your therapist should know your situation better than online strangers.

I used to work for a large University.  I had some time off with depression and the University paid for me to see a counsellor which really helped.  Have you discussed your problems with your employer?  They may be able to offer you some help.