Going to lose job through operation!

A question about : Going to lose job through operation!

Hi

I'm in a "catch 22" situation with my job and having time off due to 2 operations. I've been with my employers for 26 months but in the last 11 months I've only work 4 weeks part-time due to a operation for a pilonidal sinus in my lower back in Nov 2003.

I was told by my doctor and the consultant that I would be back at work in 2 weeks but the sinus was far bigger than he thought!

It went OK but by May it had gone static and was called to a meeting. I feared for my job so I offered to work part-time for a month then go full time. I had 2 infections in a month and had an emergency op in August.

Now the wound is healing well but I've been told by my employer that if I don't return to work full time very shortly it's likely we'd part ways. I told them I'd let them know what the nurse thinks early next week.

Here's the dilemma! Should I return to work and risk another op and have a further 4 months out or should I just the company part ways with me?

Also what benefits can I get? I've had my SSP allowance, I can't get Incapacity Benefit as I haven't paid enough NI contributions.

I'm 22 and I've been housebound for a year! What can I do? I'm so bored!!! Having said that I now know how lucky most people are!

Thank you for listening!

KevTrader

Best answers:

• There are some useful guides at Benefitsandwork guides which might enable you to claim Disability Living Allowance.
  However I am not sure from your description of your condition if you would qualify. A visit to a Welfare Rights Organisation would probably be worthwhile anyway, the guide to Getting Help with your Benefits will lead you to alternatives to the CAB if you haven't one locally.
  But it may be a marginal claim so putting your case as professionally as possible will make a difference. It will depend on whether for most of the time you need help with personal care or for mobility, if you have difficulty getting about. However for this you do have to be virtually unable to walk and/or need someone with you in unfamiliar places and this doesn't sound like it's your problem.
  A successful claim for DLA would improve significantly the amount you get for income support which for a person your age isn't hardly enough to survive.
  Benefits for those on a low income
  No chance you could get your employer to allow you to work from home? You will if you are unable to "Actively seek work" because of health reasons still have to meet the Personal Capability Assessment criteria which are set out here IB214 A guide to the personal capability assessment
  The scoring for which is set out in the calculator here
  PCA threshold calculator and again because of the nature of you condition you may find that you need Welfare Rights support as you may be physically capable, as far as the assessing doctor is concerned, of meeting those criteria. (especially on a good day)
  I've just been through a spell of one infection after another so am very sympathetic regarding your position however unless your own health professionals are prepared to support your claims you may find it hard to convince the DWP doctors from Medical Services.
• Thanks Ted!
  Last week I found out there is an under 25 rule for incapacity benefit and I believe I might be entitled to it. But I went back to work for 4 weeks and there's something about an 8-week rule.
  What is the 8-week rule for this benefit?
  I don't know if this wound will last for 6 more months to qualify for DLA.
  By the way I have now lost the job and won't look for another job until the wound is healed.
  Kev
• Ted,
  I'm currently applying for Incapacity Benefit under the Youth rules and am looking at other benefits this can come under.
  Can I apply for DLA for this back wound even though it is a surgical operation as I phoned up the DLA helpline on Friday and was told I couldn't apply for it for the above reason?
  It's the reason why I haven't left the house for 1 year and have lost my job. Plus I'm probably going to have an 3rd operation within the next 6 weeks.
  But the condition is recurring and I've had it for about 2-3 years. Does it count for the DLA?
  Thanks
  Kev