Hello all, I e been at my current job for 10 years now ( shop assistant home bargains ) and the physical aspects of it are becoming all to difficult for me. I have no job to fall back to so I believe my only at least temporary option is to unfortunately leave but I’ve no idea where I would go from there ie how I would claim benefits etc. I’m only still in this job because I’m scared of leaving to then have no money coming in whatsoever
It is a tricky one. You know for your health you really need to quit the job, but if you leave voluntarily (despite actually not really being up to the job), you’ll have difficulties claiming benefit, as you will be seen to have voluntarily quit the job whilst still able to work. Definitely a case for advice.
Can you scale down your hours? If you have an MS diagnosis that may help, I guess, and maybe be able to go onto universal credit top-ups if your income drops down into that level. But take advice. The benefits regime is brutal and they often are no more than a disability denial machine.
Or do you continue working until you become too ill to work and then end up on sick pay for 6 months? And then go onto ESA. At least you’d have shown to the DWP that you’ve tried to work and couldn’t, so transition onto ESA should be easier. But that is not the best option for your health, though it may be the best from a financial perspective …
I’m in a similar position. I had dropped to 4 days a week nearly 2 years ago. Then Covid appeared and I was working from home, so I no longer had the commute pressure. However, it got to the point I couldn’t manage that - and there’s no further way to scale down, or reasonable adjustments to make.
I’m now on sick leave, and have now been so for almost 6 months. I’ll continue on work sick pay at half pay for another 6 months (I’ve fortunately got a good contract). I can’t see myself getting well enough to be able to hold down that job again in the next six months. Part of me wants to just quit completely and not go through this prolonged charade! On the days when I’m feeling slightly better I feel guilty, feel I’m a malingerer. But it would be financially stupid to quit. I struggle with the guilt feelings though. In my case I’ve still not got a diagnosis. On my sick notes they keep writing ‘under investigation’. It is definitely neurological, the neurologists agree on that, on top of an existing diagnosed neurological condition, but it doesn’t fit nice tick boxes.
You’d likely be able to talk to a benefits service locally or PIP to discuss this and your worries, they’ll likely be helpful Because of circumstance.
If you have to leave work then You could also look into networking online and how to run a successful small business from home doing something therapeutic you love to do as a pass time or anything you might have a passion for,
like knitting or making cards or art or jewellery or anything really.
It would take time but theres a lot of people who go through same situations and find something to do and are able to have a steady income from it.
Thanks all the response. My employer is very helpful with my situation. Absolutely no problems with them whatsoever infact they have altered my job specifically to try help me but unfortunately its getting to difficult no matter what I’d be doing. I only do 14 hours a week but even that is troublesome. Is it worth me getting in touch with universal credit about possibly leaving and getting financial help or is it a little more complicated then that?
If you have a diagnosis, make an application for PIP (Personal Independence Payment). Also look at ESA (Employment Support Allowance) if you’re unfit to work.
I’ve worked in construction much of my life and although not on the tools, I first left a company to work for myself and dictate the pace and then had to pack that in as I wasn’t safe walking around sites. Am now applying for part-time admin work for mainly sedentary roles. Without success as yet, it has to be said… I’m overqualified, or that’s what I tell myself!
It sounds like you have a good employer, Jason, that they’re willing to modify your role. Hopefully they can stretch further. Could you do a desk job at your present location or do such posts not exist? I suspect UC / DWP won’t be very helpful until you’re unable to work, leaving onus will be on current employer to accommodate you right up to the point that they can’t.