Let’s imagine your off sick and can’t pay your bills what do you?
Posted by This_Palpitation6617@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 91 comments
[removed]
Posted by This_Palpitation6617@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 91 comments
[removed]
Economy_Survey_6560@reddit
This is why everyone should have income protection insurance and I can't believe hardly anyone knows it exists.
IEnumerable661@reddit
I know it exists. The problem is, the last quote I got was £180 per month. So no, I don't have income protection insurance.
tilt@reddit
That's really high. Mine is £19/month, kicks in after 6 months (my work's sick pay is very good, and I have savings). Pays out £3400 a month for 2 years. That's with Aviva.
This_Palpitation6617@reddit (OP)
That sounds a lot more affordable indeed I may look at that for the future.
ShowmasterQMTHH@reddit
Its very much dependant on your job, age and some require a health check.
tilt@reddit
I did indeed have to wee into a cup.
Sylvester88@reddit
That's amazing. I'm pretty sure I pay more for less and it only pays 50% after 6 months because I still get 50% company sick pay at that point
Zaruz@reddit
Damn I should look back into this. I looked when getting a mortgage and they were all insanely expensive. As the main earner in the house, I worry a lot about what would happen if I were to lose my income for any reason
This_Palpitation6617@reddit (OP)
Wow that’s expensive there is no way I could afford that.
Economy_Survey_6560@reddit
Call them up and ask them
Economy_Survey_6560@reddit
Damn mines £35 and that covers redundancy too
anoamas321@reddit
I can't even get redundacy cover, how you get that?
graeme_1988@reddit
Who are you with for that price? It was costing me £80, and that didn't include redundancy!
Economy_Survey_6560@reddit
Cover2me. I am young though in insurance terms. (Mid 20s). I imagine someone who's senior an on a higher salary your risk profile changes.
urghasif@reddit
ouch, mine is £13 a month!
gaz3028@reddit
Have good look at the terms and conditions. Some will only pay out after 2 months off and if you aren't in mortgage arrears, catch 22 right there for most people.
nrm94@reddit
You don't necessarily need income protection, just a good emergency fund that you can maintain. 6 months+ salary for instances like this
carl84@reddit
Great, he just needs to do this two years ago, problem solved
nrm94@reddit
Just like the comment suggesting that everyone needs income protection...but I'm the one that gets downvoted
NotSayingAliensBut@reddit
That is so beyond the bounds of possibility for so many people.
YetAnotherInterneter@reddit
But for the people who it’s not possible for, chances are those people would be eligible for other forms of benefits. It’s means tested.
IEnumerable661@reddit
I work in software. Salaries are going down, not up. Meanwhile, mortgages, food, energy, fuel, all is going up. I've taken two pay cuts already to stay off the dole queue.
In the past it was possible for me to save and I did. Those got eaten when I had two large unexpected bills, i.e. the roof falling in. Given my pay cuts, I cannot save for a 6 month fund. Yet I'm considered in a professional industry. It's not like I've lived beyond my means either, my car is a 2007 Astra.
I am not the only one in this situation that I know personally. This Government isn't going to stop until we're all at the fucking food banks!
This_Palpitation6617@reddit (OP)
I can’t plan for tomorrow when I can barely live for today that’s the issue.
nrm94@reddit
Thats fine and my comment was directed at the suggestion that everyone should have income protection, which still in your case is not useful advice right now.
MightyDevOps@reddit
I did not know that it exists and I'm in a volatile industry (IT) , thank you.
Is there anything else in life general that I should know about that's similar stuff ?
captain_seadog@reddit
It doesn't generally cover redundancy
MightyDevOps@reddit
Covered for accident and sickness Covered for involuntary unemployment Monthly benefit amount of £2,200 Maximum benefit period of 12 months Waiting Period 1 day A minimum claim period of View Illustration
Price fixed for 12 months You'll pay the same price for 12 months unless you make any alterations to your policy Policy Exclusions These are the main circumstances and situations where this policy will not pay out. Please see the Policy Wording for full and exact details and conditions.
120 days unemployment initial exclusion period If you become unemployed, or have any awareness of impending unemployment within 120 days of buying your policy, you will not be eligible to make a claim.
This policy will NOT cover Stress, anxiety, depression or any mental or nervous disorder unless you are under the care of a psychiatric specialist or psychiatric nurse Results directly or indirectly from a pre-existing condition(but this exclusion will not apply to a pre-existing condition if you have been free from its symptoms, and have not consulted any healthcare professional nor received any treatment in connection with it, for a 24 month period before your claim) A result of back, spinal and related conditions unless there is radiological medical proof of abnormality, visible wound or contusion confirmed by a healthcare professional Deliberately injuring yourself (self-harm) Alcohol, solvent abuse or drugs (other than drugs taken under the direction of a healthcare professional and not for the treatment of drug addiction) Pregnancy, childbirth or abortion, other than a medical complication which directly occurs as a result of your pregnancy or pregnancy related conditions A result of a medical operation or treatment which is not medically necessary, including cosmetic or beauty treatments You have not been working for at least 6 months in a row before the policy start date If you were aware of the possibility of (or in our opinion you should have been aware) at the policy start date, even if no specific reference has been made to your personal situation or that your unemployment might not take place until after the initial exclusion period You are notified of or made aware by any means, within the initial exclusion period, of anything that might lead to your unemployment even if no specific reference has been made to your personal situation or that our unemployment may not take place until after the initial exclusion period You are made aware by any means, before the policy start date or within the initial exclusion period, that you would need to become a carer You failed to pass a trial or probationary period Your work is casual, seasonal or temporary If you accept voluntary redundancy, resign or retire If unemployment arises of your own act, wilful misconduct, negligence, dishonesty or fraud Unemployment that occurs whilst you are working outside of the UK for a period you intended to be more than 90 days, unless you work for the British Armed Forces or as a Civil Servant in a British Embassy or Consulate You are made unemployed from a business where you can control the affairs of the business you work for because you or a relative or a member of your household (individually or jointly) have a controlling interest in that business
Economy_Survey_6560@reddit
Other two I have: Life insurance with critical illness cover. Used car warranty on my car.
ethanxp2@reddit
Critical illness cover can also be worth it, isn't that much a month but offers a big lump sum if youre ever critically ill, disabled etc.
VOOLUL@reddit
Also a lot of employers offer income protection as a benefit. Ours is like 4 years for long term illness at 75% pay.
gxb20@reddit
I injured my knee when i was younger and had a suicide attempt at 18, i couldnt get it affordable at all for a job in construction. Was going to be hundred a month
Economy_Survey_6560@reddit
That will be because your job is in construction so you're at high risk of becoming too sick to work.
gxb20@reddit
Oh i know the reasons. Just giving a reason why i (and i assume others) can’t get protection
This_Palpitation6617@reddit (OP)
It has never been discussed or offered to me. I was in the army being paid wasn’t a issue and the company’s that I have worked for it has never been mentioned. I have had a poor financial upbringing and have no knowledge of anything. I’m from a poor background and I mean poor my parents still work now at retirement age.
alilyspider@reddit
If you were in the army, definitely give RBL a call for help. A lot of places have more support available when you call than advertised on their website.
jake_burger@reddit
Income protection insurance isn’t something that’s offered to you and it’s not something employers do.
It’s just a service you buy from insurance companies, they insure lots and lots of different things but you need to ask them.
neilm1000@reddit
Income protection went out of the window during covid, I went to renew and just couldn't. Need to look at it again.
AuramiteEX@reddit
If you have no income you should be able to claim. Are you not a British citizen?
carnage2006@reddit
You'd be entitled to Universal Credit in your circumstances, use entitledto website
undercovergloss@reddit
If they have reduced income universal credit take this into consideration. they have a mortgage- which universal credit don’t fund. So they’d only be eligible for the standard single person amount - which i think is around £300? Their reduced wages would likely wipe that out and they’d be eligible for nothing. It looks that way as they seemingly have already done the calculator.
carnage2006@reddit
It's £400 something if over 25. There were no additional details when I posted.
AncientImprovement56@reddit
Are you sure you're not eligible for new-style ESA? Unlike universal credit, it doesn't take savings or partner's income into account - eligibility is based on recent NI contributions.
Easy-Equal@reddit
How are you not entitled to universal credit if you have no savings?
This_Palpitation6617@reddit (OP)
My wife earns just over minimum and I have a mortgage. I’m not looking for a new job just some help and assistance while I’m going through a bad time.
librarytapes@reddit
There’s a crisis and resilience fund from the council, you have to get Citizens Advice to refer you but they give out one off payments to cover household expenses.
Easy-Equal@reddit
Have you tried pip if you cant work its none means tested
CharlotteGFE@reddit
You’ll definitely be entitled to UC if you can’t work due to being sick, you will need a doctors note though otherwise they’ll put you on jobseekers meaning you’ll have to look for work. Do your current employer not pay sick pay?
librarytapes@reddit
If they’re on SSP it will get deducted from UC so unlikely to get anything as the standard allowance is only £400 or so.
insomnimax_99@reddit
UC is heavily means tested, simply being off sick doesn’t make you eligible.
CharlotteGFE@reddit
Yeah but he has no money/savings.
Embarrassed_Park2212@reddit
Just ring them and tell them you are off sick, not able to claim benefits, have no savings, so can't pay. What can they do aside from cut you off if you have no money.
Does you work not pay you sick pay?
Your local council website should have a household support fund page, kind of similar to what they had during covid, that will have info on if they can give you support.
Other than that any credit cards or overdraft. Anything you can sell. Family would they help you at all.
No_Block9049@reddit
Crime
Interesting_Fish309@reddit
Citizens advice. Ring them.
CowComfortable6614@reddit
Income insurance is an absolute no brained
Comrade_pirx@reddit
I'm just joining the chorus: Talk to citizens advice. make certain you're not entitled, they will have other good advice.
pixelunicorns@reddit
My work has sick pay, so worth looking into what support your employer provides and also check what you are entitled too. I think there is a mandatory sick leave in the UK, under the Employment Rights Act. But would recommend looking it up.
South_Leek_5730@reddit
How can you be not eligible for benefits?
You have no savings or income which are the main two qualifiers. The only other qualifier is entitlement by residency status but you say you have worked all your life which I'm going to assume is in the UK.
If you are on SSP then you can still claim UC and the SSP is marked as income and deducted but you can still claim. If you pay rent you can claim that on UC. If you have a mortgage you can claim for interest payments on UC. Being on UC also give you access to claim other benefits such as a reduction in your council tax.
I think you need to speak to someone like the citizens advice or a charity that can advice you on your situation with regards to benefits and debt. Don't worry about debt because that can go into a hold state because they can't get blood out of a stone.
The benefits system is set up as a safety net. It's not great but it is there to stop people ending up on the street or starving.
DevilsAdvocate1662@reddit
Don't you get sick pay from your employer?
This_Palpitation6617@reddit (OP)
SSP as standard no extras no benefits to my job apart from I’m employed.
DevilsAdvocate1662@reddit
Wow, when you're back to being healthy again, you really should find a better job
This_Palpitation6617@reddit (OP)
Not much difference between employers in my industry I’m afraid. If anything I’m looking at a retrade if I want more benefits from employers.
DevilsAdvocate1662@reddit
I hope you get things sorted soon
Secure-Occasion-3599@reddit
Call debtline, step change or citizens advice. They can give specific advice to your situation.
They’ll likely tell you to contact the people you can’t pay and explain the situation. The worst thing you can do is ignore it.
This_Palpitation6617@reddit (OP)
I am already in a IVA with stepcjamge and payments are on hold. I have buried my head and ignored things which does make the situation worse so I’m trying to sort my life now.
Pr6srn@reddit
It absolutely does, but try not to be too hard on yourself for doing it. It's a perfectly normal response to perceived unmanageable situations. We've all done it, in one way or another.
The important thing is you're taking action now.
AndrewHinds67@reddit
Learn the difference between your and you're.
This_Palpitation6617@reddit (OP)
How much would that help me??
imtravelingalone@reddit
Let's imagine you knew the difference between your and you're
This_Palpitation6617@reddit (OP)
What difference would it make to me
smudgethomas@reddit
First: are you on statutory sick pay or your wages? That's a HUGE difference. Second: if you're on SSP you can't automatically get a lot else but you can apply for things. Third: Get. ADVICE: citizens advice, local debt counselling/support service. See what's available and ask for everything they know of. Fourth: depending on where you live, there may be a local "poor relief" charity. These are usually relics of the pre-welfare state era and often have a pot of money to help "those in need within the parish of x" - often these are little used, your local council may have a list of bodies they appoint members to, which is often a list of them (lots were set up with the councillor, the vicar, the donor and one or two other locals as the people automatically on it). Fifth: Talk to bills firms. They have hardship funds by law. For this exact situation. Sixth: Your union should also know of resourced that can help.
Yeah in an ideal world you'd have got income protection but in reality no one does.
This_Palpitation6617@reddit (OP)
I’m on SSP which is around 10% of my wage before tax etc so a massive cut indeed.
I am in a IVA and have sorted taking a payment break from that for the 3rd month.
I live in a impoverished area of the north unfortunately and for food banks etc I have to get council to approve me before I can go to them.
Thanks for the reply I’m trying everything.
peepooplop@reddit
You might be eligible for ESA which isn’t loads but would certainly help.
smudgethomas@reddit
Yeah I think the council is your next call in terms of best hope of actual help.
I am sorry you're in this situation, it sucks, and I hope and pray it gets better soon.
Odd_Scar836@reddit
Ask for a mortgage holiday from your mortgage provider.
Speak to your debtor and ask for payment holidays and explain your situation.
Food banks.
0% credit cards as a last resort.
Have income protection / insurance (doesn’t help you now but for the future)
This_Palpitation6617@reddit (OP)
I’m going no to discuss with my mortgage provider shortly.
I have spoke to stepchange who I am in IVA with and going for payment break number 3.
I’m looking at food banks so will have to contact the council in my area to be referred to them.
No_Ring_3348@reddit
Burying the lede a bit there mate! You need professional advice, not Reddit bullshit merchantry, as if you balls up your IVA...
sunheadeddeity@reddit
There's a charity called Turn2Us who specialise in debt and money issues, it might be worth getting in touch.
PeaceLoveCurrySauce@reddit
I had to use credit card money transfers to pay stuff, took me years to pay off
pointlesstips@reddit
I've always felt UK statutory sick pay is worse than a third world country's.
gxb20@reddit
I dont really have any help for you but im sorry youre going through this at the moment. Money troubles wont be helping your mental and physical health. My DMs are open if you need someone to vent too
catwoman42@reddit
Depending on howong you have been sick you may qualify for PIP or ADP (Scotland only) to help. Citizen's Advice Bureau is also a good shout for advice on money, debt restructuring and any help you may be entitled to
twonaq@reddit
I’m not suggesting this for you but I would probably just die.
VariousBeat9169@reddit
Call citizens advice. They are experts at this.
worldworn@reddit
Honestly and this might not be totally useful..
But I have an emergency fund for this reason.
However there was a time where I was made redundant, and my emergency fund was quickly running out, so I:
Cancelled everything I could, TV etc. looked into a payment holiday for my mortgage. Cut all non essentials, and reduced everything else (cheaper food etc).
I did look at what stuff I had around me to sell (mainly stuff I didn't need anyway), and was ready to ask for a loan from family.
Luckily things did pick up for me, and I've not been in the situation since. But I still have a much better emergency fund now.
This_Palpitation6617@reddit (OP)
I have used my emergency fund already and sold my car which was only a cheap runaround but that covered me for a month of bills. Wife and kids are listing things on vinted also. I only have 2 subscriptions of Amazon and Spotify no tv licence or Netflix.
Family is a issue I’m a black sheep as such so they won’t help and I don’t really talk to them much unfortunately.
Sea-Payment-8989@reddit
Contact Citizens Advice which gives free impartial fully researched advice and direct help with debt and benefits. Google, citizens advice.org.uk for details on how to arrange an appointment at your local office.
Streathamite@reddit
Contact an organisation like StepChange or Citizens Advice for guidance.
If you have no income or savings you should be eligible for something although it’s very unlikely to be enough to cover all your outgoings (especially if you own instead of rent).
UpThem@reddit
Contact an advice agency specialising in this field. 5 minutes on an online tool you don't really understand isn't a definitive answer to your entitlements.
comoestasmiyamo@reddit
Start by calling all the providers and letting them know. Most will work out a payment scheme with you, it is better for them that way.
TellMeManyStories@reddit
Almost everyone is eligible for something they aren't claiming....
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