SSP and Income Support

I’m hoping that someone can point me in the right direction with this query…

I work predominantly with clients who have cancer.

Client is single and recently had an operation and is likely to have radiotherapy, chemotherapy treatment, or both. Client is in full-time employment and has started her claim for SSP, as well as HB and CTR. Client has been advised that she is likely to be off work for at least 6 month’s.

We discussed PIP, but the client does not satisfy the 3 month’s before and 9 month’s after rules at the moment (all being well with her treatment).

My question is that, if she were not entitled to SSP, but had made a claim for ESA, then come the end of the assessment period (so week 14) she would have been automatically transferred in to the SG of ESA (due to the cancer treatment) and would therefore have an applicable amount of £125.05, made up of CB and IR.

Now I know that it is not possible to claim SSP and ESA at the same time, but had hoped that IS may have topped up, to what I believe should be her applicable amount.

I have spoken to one of the decision makers and have been advised that there is no facility to do this.

So in short, my client may miss out on at least 14 weeks of £36.60 per week.

Does anyone have any ideas, or is this just the way it is?

Thanks in advance

I think the problem is that her IS applicable amount is restricted to the basic amount - she doesn’t even qualify for a disability premium. It does seem very unfair but I can’t see a way round it…