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I will be having surgery soon and will need time off work. I don't get sick leave, only ssp. Is there any help out there for me?

Eeyorerocks
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I am due to have surgery on 1st May for high grade VIN.  My consultant has told me i might need a few weeks off work.  I dont get paid to be off sick and will only get ssp.  Is there any help out there to stop me getting into debt and all my direct debits bouncing.  I only earn £1200 a month and most of that goes on bills.  I struggle most months but this situation is really stressing me out.  I am single so dont have anyone to support me......what and who can i turn to?

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    Hi there sorry to hear about your situation, sounds a bit like mine last year.  I had a hysterectomy to treat uterine cancer and had to be off work for almost three months because of it. I was on ssp, about £114 a week and I got a similar wage to you so I’m guessing it’ll be the same? I was probably earning less than you tbf. I tried to claim UC but didn’t get anything other than the initial payment. They were clawing back about £40 a month from when I claimed a couple of years ago after a redundancy so you might get something. 
    Macmillan benefits advisor told me I would get a work capability form but was wrong, I wasn’t off sick for long enough. I think I learnt that’s for three months or more, would need to check though. Macmillan gave me a £200 grant, don’t know if that’s something you can apply for. And I got a 50% reduction for one month in my council tax so see what your local council can offer. Definitely had to rely on credit card a bit. I’d see if any of your utilities suppliers offer relief for people in your situation. Or can you get a rent/mortgage holiday? 
    good luck for your op hope it all goes well and your money stresses ease!  

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    Hi there sorry to hear about your situation, sounds a bit like mine last year.  I had a hysterectomy to treat uterine cancer and had to be off work for almost three months because of it. I was on ssp, about £114 a week and I got a similar wage to you so I’m guessing it’ll be the same? I was probably earning less than you tbf. I tried to claim UC but didn’t get anything other than the initial payment. They were clawing back about £40 a month from when I claimed a couple of years ago after a redundancy so you might get something. 
    Macmillan benefits advisor told me I would get a work capability form but was wrong, I wasn’t off sick for long enough. I think I learnt that’s for three months or more, would need to check though. Macmillan gave me a £200 grant, don’t know if that’s something you can apply for. And I got a 50% reduction for one month in my council tax so see what your local council can offer. Definitely had to rely on credit card a bit. I’d see if any of your utilities suppliers offer relief for people in your situation. Or can you get a rent/mortgage holiday? 
    good luck for your op hope it all goes well and your money stresses ease!  

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