Income while recovering from surgery

[LadyZ13]

Hi everyone, hope your weeks have started well. There's a little of Spring in the air around where I live, which is lovely to see.

Having left a job at the end of 2022, I have today signed my contract for a new role - a 9 month FTC that will help pay the bills without feeling like I need to go wildly above and beyond to prove myself.

I see from the contract of employment that I get 20 days' sick pay (on full pay) in my first year working there. I am expecting to be called for OHS (an ASD repair) which I hope to be during the time of this contract so the hole is fixed asap.

I'm a bit worried about being without an income during the rest of the recovery period and the resulting pressure to get back to work (though an office job, and I can WFH while building up for the 7 mile cycle commute...). Do any of you have experience about accessing financial support while recovering from surgery? I'm assuming I can get some sort of Statutory Sick Pay to take a little of the pressure off. I've no idea how this works!

Thanks in advance

[Purpleazalia]

Statutory Sick Pay is usually paid by your employer for up to 28 weeks. Here's the link to the SSP section on the government website

gov.uk/statutory-sick-pay

There is an 'entitled to' benefits calculator (which does not keep information about you). You could use it to look at different income/illness scenarios. Here is the link

entitledto.co.uk/

Hope all goes well with your new contract and your surgery.

[LadyZ13 in reply to Purpleazalia]

Thank you, this is really helpful! Once I have some payslips through I'll get to using this to figure out what if anything is available for me.

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

I would suggest you have a word with the CAB. When I had my quadruple bypass I only got 10 days on full pay and then went onto SSP despite having been there nearly five years. All other benefits are means tested and as I had savings over about £23,000 I got sweet FA. This seriously depleted my savings as SSP covers very little. And to cap it all the bar stewards axed me 10 weeks after I returned to work. Total saddos!

[LadyZ13 in reply to MichaelJH]

That's a really good shout Michael. Once I have a surgery date I'll speak to my employer and then CAB. But from what you've said I suspect I'll be in a similiar position, having a little put aside - means tested does seem fair until you realise you're punished for good financial habits; no one wants their savings to be wiped out by a period of forced time off work. Thank you for sharing and helping set my expectations.

[Hidden]

if you are in a union worth contacting them for advice too. Good luck with this and surgery.

[LadyZ13 in reply to Hidden]

I'm not but many of my colleagues have joined one - I'll look into it!

[HM24]

Maybe consider working few hours spread over the week from home (if feasible) as part of your build up to returning to work.

You could speak to your manager or HR and see what they would have available. It might help you out financially and be a good way of easing you back gently into work.

All the best to you.

[LadyZ13 in reply to HM24]

That's a good shout. Once I have a date I'll start that discussion.

[Thanksnhs]

I would find out about ESA (employment support allowance) you might be eligible for that char

[Qualipop in reply to Thanksnhs]

The problem with claiming any benefits is that it can take anything up to a year for DWP To even get round to looking at your claim then it's usually turned down and you have to appeal. I'd been getting DLA for years when I had to change over to PIP. The change was pretty straightforward, nothing had changed but it still took 7 months. A new claim can take even longer.

[Thanksnhs in reply to Qualipop]

My pip was a nightmare but when I was still working they seemed to process the ESA quite quickly, it was a few years ago unfortunately things might have changed char

[Hidden]

Glad you have found another job. Hope they are accommodating and understanding of your issue. People have to remember many of us who where born with a congenital heart issue. Did not ask for this. But it does not mean you are not a valuable person to the community and the work force. Take care.

[LadyZ13 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Felly12 - it's a 9 month FTC so if the wait list is very long I may not be there when I get the operation but I'm glad they allow any sick days in the first year at all as I know some places don't! Thanks for your good wishes.

[Hidden in reply to LadyZ13]

Yes alot of places are now very hard on people regarding sickness. It annoys me now that the dreaded c virus is now classed as normal sick. But I still don't think the medical profession understands the issues it can have on your heart and other things that have to be taken? A bit like how rumatic fever effected people when they where young. And it only now comes out as you get older. They still have alot to learn. Take care.

[Scho1]

Hi, if you have paid full national insurance over the past two years you can apply for new style ESA .

[Hidden in reply to Scho1]

Spot on. Quick and easy to do and generally accepted on the basis of the phone call. Further appointments/calls to complete after the initial call. Doctor needs to supply a not fit to work certificate or a reduced hours at work certificate.

You get about £140 fortnightly. You can also earn upto about £143

working ? 15 hours a week.......

[LadyZ13 in reply to Hidden]

That's interesting! I was out of work for 1 month but have paid a heck of a lot of NI so really hope I'm eligible... I guess I'll find out. Thank you, something else to pursue when the time comes.