Good afternoon everyone, hope you are all surviving this awful weather. Next question: How do I go about getting Ill Health Retirement. I have been signed of work since mid October 2013 and it does not look likely I will be able to return as MS has finally caught up with me. I do have a very small (very small) private Pension and am now in the positon of having to claim Benefits, what a minefield and it is all new to me. I came to the decision that it would look better if I was given Ill Health Retirement rather than be sacked - my employer will try and get rid of me after the 28 weeks Statutory Sick Pay comes to an end. Any ideas and advice? Thanks Linda x
Hi Linda, I assume the “trying to get rid of you” would automatically be via ill health retirement, assuming they operate such a scheme. It all depends whether you are part of a company pension scheme, and what the rules of that say. If you’re not in a company pension, then unfortunately there’s nothing you would be able to claim. Tima
HI
I was finished on ill health last August from my Employer but it was not automatic that I would recieve my company pension.I had to apply for this seperate and had to be done within my notice period. They used differant Doctors for this than when I saw OT via work, be warned they are much harsher. My decision is being made this month as its been presented to the trustee’s. I am not expecting to recieve it as I felt they where looking for ways not to pay rather than pay, so I am expecting to wait until I am 55yrs to claim, it will not be enhanced but it will be better than nothing. I am not diagnosed with MS but have other chronic illness’s and the Nuerological side is still being investigated. As for benefits, I followed through with ESA and have had to appeal twice and finally I am in the support group. I have not started any claims for DLA/PIP as its been so hard just to get ESA that I am not ready to put myself through that yet.
hope my experience’s help you and I wish you lots of luck xx
Hi Linda
I retired through ill health from the NHS 18 months ago and it all went very straightforward. Quite frightening but all worked out in the end.
I was off sick for almost a year due to bad falls at work and trouble with my sight. It was my line manager who suggested ill health retirement and I accepted that this would be the best way forward. I was assessed by telephone by 3 Atos doctors who were all very aware of the symptoms of MS and how it affects work.
Firstly they investigated that all adaptations had been offered which they had but unfortunately not worked out.
They then approved my ill health retirement. I was aged 51 and I would much rather have continued to work but I feel much better now not having to worry about getting to work.
Feel free to PM me if you need more info.
Take care.
Shazzie x
Hi Linda,
You come under the Equalities Act so it is going to take a lot longer than 28 weeks to sack you. This is what the law says is disability http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/advice-and-guidance/your-rights/disability/
If you trawl through this website it will tell you your rights.
You should ask your GP to write to your companies HR or Medical Department to start the Ill Health Retirement ball rolling.
If you want to know anything for free about your pension contact http://www.pensionsadvisoryservice.org.uk/contact-us even for an estimate of what your state pension will be on retirement,
G
Hi Linda, I don’t think that they automatically offer IHR as a means of getting rid. Even though it was mentioned to me, they still continued down the road of terminating my contract, however, as long as the process of IHR has been entered into prior to the contract being terminated, they have to support your application. Are you in a union? If not I would suggest you might consider it. I was and my rep was really good at getting the correct wording to support my application of which I was successful. However, at that point I was only given the lower tier as my restrictions at that point did not suggest that I might never return to work. I was given the IHR with a view that if circumstances did not change or worsened I could apply for the higher rate within three years. Just out of curiously shazzie, and don’t answer if you feel uncomfortable, did you get the higher or lower award, just as an indicator of how successful a reapplication might be. Hope you get some answers Linda. Best wishes J x
Thnk you for your replies. Unfortuntely I do not have a Company Pension and get no additional benefits from work (i.e bonuses, health insurance etc). My small private Pension is from a previous employer and has been frozen for a number of years. I work for a very small firm and they will try and get rid of me because they’re paying a temp as well as paying me Statutory Sick Pay. From what you’ve all said Ill Health Retirement does not look like an option then.Linda x
Hi J.
Of course I don’t mind answering. Anything to help.
I was awared the higher rate, Tier 2 (a large lump sum and a small monthly pension for the rest of my life. Well I say small but £200 per month for hopefully the next 30 years or so amounts to quite a large amount). I worked for the NHS for 12 years.
Don’t hesitate to ask any other questions as I would be happy to answer.
Shazzie xx
Thanks for that Shazzie, that’s really good to know 
not sure if your employer can ‘get rid of you after 28 weeks’
You must familiarise yoursef with all the schemes, benefits etc and be prepared to fight for the best one for you.
Do not assume that managers/bosses/assessors have your interests as their priority.
Afternoon everyone. Zetland I’m very aware that no-one is going to be on side or me be their priority. I work for a very small Company so they will be looking to conserve money but believe me I’ll be fighting my corner for what’s best for me. No-one is on the side of us MS’rs and have no reality of what this condition is actually like. It looks like Ill Health Retirement won’t be an option though so will have to look at every other way. Never been in this position before so thanks for all the support. Linda x