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

If you are employed  by a school on a casual basis 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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