FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND BENEFITS (ENGLAND & WALES)
Regardless of fault or claims, if a spinal injury leaves your loved one with health needs or inability to work, there are various state benefits and supports you should explore. These can provide income or services while you focus on recovery. This chapter looks at the key benefits available to people in England & Wales with a SCI injury.
Some employers have more generous sick pay schemes – check the employment contract. Make sure to inform the employer as soon as feasible about the situation (you can do this on their behalf or provide a note from hospital) to claim SSP. Carer’s Allowance If a family member (spouse, parent, etc.) has to spend a lot of time caring for the injured person (at least 35 hours a week) and the injured person is receiving a disability benefit like PIP daily living, the carer might claim Carer’s Allowance . It’s about £76 per week. Note the carer’s own earnings have to be below a certain threshold to receive this. Carer’s Allowance is a recognition and slight financial relief for those who give up work or reduce hours to care for someone. Universal Credit (UC) This is a means-tested benefit for working-age people and those on low incomes. If the injury has affected your family finances (for example, the injured person and maybe their spouse have lost income), you might apply for UC, which can include a standard allowance plus additional for limited capability to work and perhaps a housing element if you rent. If the injured person is single, they may apply; if they have a partner, it’s a joint claim. Within UC, after health assessment, they can be placed in a no work requirement category due to illness.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) This is a benefit for people under pension age with a long-term health condition or disability. It is not means-tested (doesn’t depend on income/savings). PIP has two components: daily living and mobility. A spinal injury survivor who needs help with personal tasks or has cognitive difficulties could qualify for the daily living component, and if they have mobility or orientation issues, for the mobility component. It’s meant to help with the extra costs of disability. PIP can be a few hundred pounds a month depending on the assessment. Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) If your loved one cannot work due to their health, ESA (or Universal Credit with limited capability for work component in the newer system) provides income replacement . Initially, if they were employed, they’ll get Statutory Sick Pay from their employer (see below), but after SSP is exhausted or if self-employed/unemployed, ESA/Universal Credit kicks in to provide a basic income while sick.
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) If the injured person was working as an
employee, they are entitled to SSP from their employer for up to 28 weeks while they are off sick . It’s a fixed weekly amount (around £109 per week currently).
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