Ill health,with lump sum advice,please

[guyscliffe]

Hi Everyone ...
Here's another question for you,i'd just like your advice please?

Have been told by my rep,that it shouldn't be a problem getting Ill health retirement with a lump sum.
So for example once I leave Royal Mail,with the lump sum I will NOT be pressurised by the JobCentre or DWP,to continue to prove my lack of fitness?
The reason I say that is my GP and counsellor have recommended I take a couple of years out,and NOT sign on the doll.
And then come back to the workplace (Not Royal Mail ) if and when i'm ready,in 3 or 4 years time.
Gotta put my health first.
Lookin forward to your thoughts ...

[mazza111]

Given the medical condition that you have, you should be claiming Statutory Sick Pay ( SSP ) and then onto Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) (sorry, can't remember how long you've been off for?) This is money that you would be entitled to as you are unfit for any work. Unfortunately, you won't be able to claim unemployment benefit as you will still be unfit for work and not actively looking for employment. If your GP has recommended that you take this amount of time off, then he should supply u with a fit note to say this. Without a doubt the DWP will send you for a medical in this time.

Hope this helps a wee bit

[guyscliffe]

Given the medical condition that you have, you should be claiming Statutory Sick Pay ( SSP ) and then onto Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) (sorry, can't remember how long you've been off for?) This is money that you would be entitled to as you are unfit for any work. Unfortunately, you won't be able to claim unemployment benefit as you will still be unfit for work and not actively looking for employment. If your GP has recommended that you take this amount of time off, then he should supply u with a fit note to say this. Without a doubt the DWP will send you for a medical in this time.

Hope this helps a wee bit

Hiya Mazza ....

Been off since last october,with the full help/support of My GP,Counsellor and The UCW.
But given the seriousness of my depression ad anxiety,I dont want to be pestered and bullied into having to go down to the JobCentre etc ...,to prove that I am still unwell.
Hence me not signing onto the doll .... Thankfully I dont HAVE to go back into work,so I have options.
Been told to take a sabatical from any workplace for a while,then come back in a few years when and if i'm upto it.

[mazza111]

You actually don't NEED to go to the job center to claim ESA. You may however be called for a medical,note the word may, it may happen next month or it may not happen until 6 months down the line. IMHO you should claim it, you're entitled to it, you've worked bloody hard for it!!!

[oldrangersW12]

You actually don't NEED to go to the job center to claim ESA. You may however be called for a medical,note the word may, it may happen next month or it may not happen until 6 months down the line. IMHO you should claim it, you're entitled to it, you've worked bloody hard for it!!!

After 13 weeks of claiming ESA the DWP/ATOS will send you a Work capability assesment form.
Fill this in and then they may ask you to attend a face to face one.

[guyscliffe]

You actually don't NEED to go to the job center to claim ESA. You may however be called for a medical,note the word may, it may happen next month or it may not happen until 6 months down the line. IMHO you should claim it, you're entitled to it, you've worked bloody hard for it!!!

After 13 weeks of claiming ESA the DWP/ATOS will send you a Work capability assesment form.
Fill this in and then they may ask you to attend a face to face one.

Hi Oldrangers .....

Funnily enough,I went for my medical last thursday .... Am still awaiting a reply from them.
But went for a meeting 12 days ago,with my manager and union rep,and they both agreed that I WAS IN NO SHAPE OR FORM,READY TO COME BACK.
I didn't choose to live my life,under a black cloud ....
But since my dad and nan died,this is how its been ... its just nice that i'm getting some understanding/support from my boss,and the union.

[mazza111]

Was this RM or DWP that sent you for this one? Or are they doing joint ones now?

[guyscliffe]

Was this RM or DWP that sent you for this one? Or are they doing joint ones now?

This was thanks to ATOS deciding to assess me over the phone,Mazza.
He deemed me fit to come back to work,in his summing up report..... ( which has since been disagreed with,by both my manager and CWU Rep .... awaiting a face to face appointment,with ATOS doctor,accompanied by my CWU Rep)
Hence,this must of triggered the medical,for the above reason