Hello and happy Easter to you all.
With spondylolisthesis, sciatica and fibromyalgia I am currently off sick from my job where I am a part time primary school teaching assistant. I have been caring for my disabled Mum for 5 years, claiming some carer's allowance.
I'm unable to care for myself now, let alone my mother, so I'm going to have to apply for PIP.
If I get PIP, it could take months and I now have to stop the carer's allowance. I don't know how long I will be on paid sick leave. There is going to be a large gap without any income and I don't know what to do. I know PIP will be back-paid to the date I first apply but I'm not sure that will wash with my bank! Can anyone advise please?
ps I can't sell my body as it's not very pretty and it's a bit broken.
pps I'm cutting it fine for finding a rich man who wants a 44 year old cripple with an unhealthy desire for collecting cats.
Hi Fedup. The first thing you need to do is relax. Stressing out over your finances may serve as a distraction from your condition but more often than nought will intensify your pain.
Deal with your financial worries logically and calmly. Firstly your PIP claim. Yes, it will take several months but probably a maximum of 3 months. And then it will be backdated. So I would reckon you only have to see through a maximum of 3, or at the worst, 4 months.
Secondly, I was not aware that claiming PIP precluded you from caring for your Mum. In reality you will still attend to basic care which is feasible given your condition. So check on this before rashly cancelling your claim. On that subject does your Mum receive Attendance Allowance? If not she should.
Thirdly, contact the School Office and find out what the Sickness Policy is. In most employment cases it is several months on full pay and several on half pay. If you don't want to contact the School Office dig out your Contract of Employment. Although you are employed by a school the County Council usually manages the payroll so you could phone the Human Resources Department at your County Council for more advice.
Fourth and finally, realising you are going to be strapped for cash in advance is an advantage. It will buy you time to make arrangements to manage your finances. For example, phone your bank and arrange a short term overdraft, making them fully aware of your predicament. Phone the Building Society and arrange a payment holiday on the mortgage. Credit Cards? List them and phone each company and explain. They will willingly allow you time to pay off balances and may halt the interest. Phone your Local Council if it's rent you pay and cover the rates whilst you're on the phone.
If at any point you talk to an individual who isn't understanding hang up and redial. Chances are that the next person you speak to will be more sympathetic.
Google hardship grants providing your local postcode. There are a lot of charities sitting on money which they will be willing to consider granting you subject to you meeting their conditions. Rarely do you have to repay the money. Even your local authority may be able to put you in touch with a suitable charity.
Hope some of the above helps. I am a Chartered Accountant and have provided financial advice to clients in a similar position to yours many times over the years. Your situation is manageable so go and manage it! Good luck but you won't need it. Just ensure that you list the main monthly bills which might worry you about payment and phone them.
Thank you very much for your clear advice gtmcghie.