Statuatory Sick Pay

[malana-3]

Following an accident I have now been off work for 6 months and my only income for that time has been Statuatory Sick Pay of £72 per week. After a recent MRI scan I have been told that an operation is required to my shoulder and I will be unfit to return to work for at least another 5 months. My savings are now exhausted and I'm not sure where to turn. My council tax has been suspended until I return to work but my mortgage is ongoing, energy bills have to be paid and I've got used to eating. Any advice please on what benefits I can seek to keep me going. Many thanks.

[Yorky Lass]

Now your SSP has ceased you need to claim ESA. Call 0800 0556688 to make your claim.

[malana-3]

To Yorky Lass
Thanks for your reponse but I must have not made myself clear. My Statuatory Sick Pay has not ceased, as far as I can make out it will continue until I am fit to return to work, in what is estimated to be in 5 months time. My problem is trying to work out how I'm going to exist until then. As I said, my savings are now exhuasted but my outgoings continue. Which way can I turn? ( PS what allowance is ESA and could I claim it now?)

[hc4361]

You only get Statutory Sick Pay for 28 weeks. After that you get Employment Support Allowance (ESA).
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/FinancialSupport/esa/DG_171894

[Yorky Lass]

If you have been off sick for 6 mths then your SSP will be ceasing because you only receive it for 28 weeks.
ESA is Employment and Support Allowance. It\'s a benefit you can claim when you are sick, but not while you are in receipt of SSP. Check with your employer how much longer they will be paying you SSP and then make your claim by calling the number I gave previously.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Illorinjured/DG_10018786

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/FinancialSupport/esa/DG_171894

Hope this helps