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Financial support for supply teachers who are off work due to ill health.

If you are employed (agency, umbrella  or payroll company) and have to take time off work due to ill health or self isolation, you may be eligible for statutory sick pay.  

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Statutory sick pay

If you are employed and have to take time off work due to ill health, you could be eligible for Statutory Sick Pay (£95.85 per week) from the first instance,  if you meet the criteria:

  • be classed as an employee (also some types workers) and have done some work for your employer

  • earn an average of at least £120 per week over the previous 8-week period, from the employer

  • have been ill, self-isolating or ‘shielding’ for at least 4 days in a row (including non-working days)

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Application via your employer within 7 days of first informing them of illness..

https://www.gov.uk/statutory-sick-pay/eligibility

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Notes:

  • You must usually tell your employer you are unable to work before the deadline they set (or within 7 days if they have not set one).

  • You could lose some of your SSP if you do not tell your employer

  • You can qualify for sick pay from more than one job.

  • If you have more than 3 months prior employment (at any point) with the employer, SSP entitlement will continue for the whole of the period of self-isolation.

  • If you have less than 3 months period of employment with the employer, SSP entitlement will continue to the end of any assignment you had agreed to work.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/statutory-sick-pay-how-different-employment-types-affect-what-you-pay

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If an employee is not eligible or their SSP ends

If you do not meet the criteria for Statutory sick pay, you may be able to apply for Universal Credit  https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA – up to £74.35 per week) https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/eligibility .  To support your claim, you will need a SSP1 form

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/statutory-sick-pay-employee-not-entitled-form-for-employers

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UNION & CHARITY GRANTS

NEU Hardship fund provides grants to those members with no salary as a result of school closures or those on supply contracts/via agencies and on fixed term contracts that have not been renewed as a result of the Covid-19 crisis. https://neu.org.uk/neu-hardship-fund

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NEU Trust fund give confidential support and financial assistance to members in times of illness or hardship. https://neu.org.uk/trust-fund

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Unite the Union Benevolent Fund makes one-off grants for members, former members, employees or ex-employees of the Unite the Union Benevolent Fund who are in need, and their dependents. https://grants-search.turn2us.org.uk/grant/unite-the-union-benevolent-fund-15969

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Unison Financial Assistance provides one-off grants for members who are experiencing financial difficulties, whatever the circumstances. https://www.unison.org.uk/get-help/services-support/there-for-you/financial-assistance/

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Education Support Partnership provide counselling and financial assistance to all education staff. https://www.educationsupport.org.uk/

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Teaching Staff Trust provide financial support when something’s happened that you couldn’t have expected. http://www.teachingstafftrust.org.uk/

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The Elizabeth Finn Fund (EFF) provides financial assistance for people who are British and have a professional or similar background. https://grants-search.turn2us.org.uk/

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