Hello, I am just looking for a little bit of advice. I am currently working full time almost 40 hours a week for a care home.
I have told my employer about my epilepsy when I first started 2 years ago. However I have recently had an increase and seizures and this seems to have got my management to question if I am safe to work. If I am not safe to work or atleast have to reduce hours, can I claim anything as I am a private renter.
Hi sorry you are having difficulty at work. You can apply for personal independence payment even whilst in work from the department of work and pensions (DWP) You can also apply for access to work scheme and they can help work with your employer to try and support you to remain in work gov.uk/access-to-work/eligi... in private rented accomodation you can apply for housing benefit if you aren't in work or are below a certain income. Epilepsy action also have quite a bit of advice or make an appointment with citizens advice as they can maybe help you. All the best
Thank you!
Hi, your employer has a duty to make adjustments to your role to try and keep you in work. The adjustments have to be reasonable and it may be that there aren't any that are reasonable for them to make but even so they have to consider them. Really they need a medical report. I would suggest that you contact Access to Work this is free and independent. They can do a report based on the work you do and your condition, make suggestions as to what adjustments can be made and may pay towards any costs. If your employer considers there is a health and safety risk they need to do a risk assessment. Depending on what action your employer takes, it could be discrimination. Helpful organisations you could speak to are Citizens Advice and Acas. Your employer could also speak to Acas. I don't know anything about the benefits system other than if you resign then any entitlement to benefits could be adversely affected. The Citizens Advice Bureau could also help with benefits and what you might be able to claim. I'm sorry this is happening and wish you all the Sorry, I've just seen Rankin1st very helpful reply which covers some of the same points!
Well done, impressive you're in work. Can't promise that any of the following will provide a penny of income, but much as we may ask an employer for a pay rise, it is worth reviewing such potential sources of income, when time is available. Universal Credit; I've only claimed it whilst unemployed, but a claim can be made whilst in employment. In probability if you're @ 40Hr's a week, you won't get a penny, however it is worth a review (Nb. Housing Benefit is routinely paid as a Housing Allowance within a Universal Credit claim, rather than separately as Housing Benefit. Even if you're earning too much to receive a penny of UC income, is still worth reviewing, to verify if housing costs can be partially covered). Council Tax Relief; precise scheme will rely on your local council, it is worth a review as substantial payments can be received. As stated previously, a claim in respect to PIP is worth a trial. If you're renting privately, it is worth reviewing whether you can obtain an offer for social housing, or at ;east attempt an entry onto your local councils housing list. Social Housing can offer substantial savings in respect to rent, aside from offering secure of tenancy on a longer term basis (Nb. And such schemes can be pleasant; I much prefer having my current architect designed, site specific, natural stone & slate roofed property for £0.00pcm, rather than having to pay £500+ pcm for it privately. Having a FOC plumber, gas fitter, electrician & secure tenancy are all added benefits). The exact nature of any scheme/offer will vary locally, but wouldn't be at all unusual to find that additional "housing points/need" are applied in respect to a claimant, who is legally designated as being a Partially Disabled person. So many welfare related sources of income are determined locally, but they are worth a review I.e. I make a £156 saving per annum in respect to Water Charges, via the locally administered "Water Sure" scheme.
Oh and one point I haven't mentioned ! Don't be afraid to read, review and attempt a claim in respect to anything within the welfare system. I'm currently a "benefit scrounger". It's rather different to serving HM Gvt as one of HM Inspectors, or my last post as a Senior Officer in Local Gvt. But whilst abuse of any system should be avoided, we do live and work within a welfare state and using that state whilst we're making adjustments is worth it (Nb. Have to admit I'm desperate to get back to work -not quite ready yet to devote 60+ Hr's a week to be worse off than not working, but it is getting close!)
I’m sorry you are going through this at work, tbh I think you had all the responses that not much more I can add. But just make sure the reasonable adjustments are put into place as that is your right , if you have a seizure and go of sick this isn’t documented as usual sick leave so doesn’t affect your sickness levels , also maybe consider flexi hours, for me personally I’m more fresh in the morning and become very tired later wen I start getting brain fog and my memory loss starts kicking in. Worse, epilepsy actions website is amazing, I’ve called them many times for support too, I also called scope and they were fantastic too. Hope all goes well for you😊
I would definitely apply for PIP. It isn't means tested. I applied and didn't think I would get anything but was amazed to be awarded £300 per month. I would make an appointment with Citizens Advice who should be able to give advise on what benefits you might be entitled to, especially as you may have to reduce your working hours. I think there is a guide somewhere on Epilepsy Action website that gives tips on filling out the PIP application. Don't be put off when they ask you to have an interview with an assessor. You have nothing to lose by applying.
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