52-week linking period

[Charlie Farnsbarn]

I recently returned to work, having been on Incapacity Benefit for
some time. I was told that should my illness return within 52-weeks,
rendering me incapable of continuing the job, my benefit claim would
be reactivated.

My illness sadly has returned. Two questions concern me:

1. Do I need to get a sicknote and wait to be sacked by my employer
for being unfit to work, or can I get a sicknote and hand in my
month's notice without being penalised?

2. Will Incapacity Benefit be paid at my old long-term rate, or at the
short-term one?

Clarification of these points would be very greatly appreciated.

 

[Robbie]

From: (e-mail address removed) (Charlie Farnsbarn)

Date: 01/10/2004 16:00 GMT Standard Time
Message-id: <[email protected]>

I recently returned to work, having been on Incapacity Benefit for
some time. I was told that should my illness return within 52-weeks,
rendering me incapable of continuing the job, my benefit claim would
be reactivated.

My illness sadly has returned. Two questions concern me:

1. Do I need to get a sicknote and wait to be sacked by my employer
for being unfit to work, or can I get a sicknote and hand in my
month's notice without being penalised?

2. Will Incapacity Benefit be paid at my old long-term rate, or at the
short-term one?

Clarification of these points would be very greatly appreciated.

When you started work, did you receive a letter from the Incapacity Benefit
section of your benefits office? This letter outlines what will happen should
you become sick.

Fisrtly - yes you'll need a sick note, it's up to you whether you go and remain
sick from work and perhaps get finished, or quit immediately - benefit wise
you'll be no worse / better off in terms of the benefit you receive. Either way
though, you will need to claim Incapacity Benefit from the DWP rather than SSP
from your employer. Technically, you need to show this letter I referred to to
your employer so they don't pay you SSP, and that they send the med cert to the
DWP to start your IB claim.

You'll receive IB at the rate you received it when you started work.

You really need this letter I was referring to, or at the very least contact
the DWP on Monday. They'll confirm the above.

Robbie

 

[Charlie Farnsbarn]

When you started work, did you receive a letter from the Incapacity Benefit
section of your benefits office? This letter outlines what will happen should
you become sick.

Fisrtly - yes you'll need a sick note, it's up to you whether you go and remain
sick from work and perhaps get finished, or quit immediately - benefit wise
you'll be no worse / better off in terms of the benefit you receive. Either way
though, you will need to claim Incapacity Benefit from the DWP rather than SSP
from your employer. Technically, you need to show this letter I referred to to
your employer so they don't pay you SSP, and that they send the med cert to the
DWP to start your IB claim.

You'll receive IB at the rate you received it when you started work.

You really need this letter I was referring to, or at the very least contact
the DWP on Monday. They'll confirm the above.

Robbie

Yes Robbie I did receive that letter - in fact I have it next to me.

Your points have been extremely helpful. Thanks for that.