Income continuance and p/t study?

Hoping for some words or wisdom here, I am currently out sick and on income continuance, I am hoping to do a part time course ie evenings for one year that will help me get a different job a more sedentary one when I go back to my employers, I know I have to notify social welfare etc and they are fine with that but do I have to notify the insurance company?

A lot depends on the terms and conditions of the policy.

Friends First (who I used to work for many moons ago) were quite happy to see Income Protection claimants attend such further study as it indicated a desire to eventually return to work.

I'm assuming that your ability to attend a part-time course of study is consistent with your inability to work, per your claim.

My experience in dealing with PHI insurers is similar to Liam's. Generally speaking, they are looking for 'win-win' solutions.

Provided there is no obvious conflict between the requirements of the course you intend doing and your inability to continue doing your former job, it is very likely that the insurers will be more than happy to facilitate your studies. Indeed, there is a possibility they may regard the course as rehabilitation and may even be prepared to part fund it, if it will allow them to cease paying the claim earlier than would otherwise have been the case.

You should ask whoever deals with your employer's income continuance scheme to talk to the insurers on your behalf. What you don't want to do is start the course without telling them as that could be a breach of the policy conditions.

I hope everything works out for you.

Regards
Homer

Thanks to Liam and Homer, I will contact them, I was half afraid to make any contact incase they would try and shove me back into work and I am so not ready for that.They are already asking my oncologist when I am coming back I still have surgeries and more pending so the physicality of my previous job is just not an option so I am hoping to get an office based role, I work in the public sector and they tend to be very rigid ......
p.s. Liam you have been of help to me on many occasions previously, thanks Jody aka A ?

Jody said:

I work in the public sector and they tend to be very rigid ......

Click to expand...

Hi Jody

If you work in the public sector, it's quite likely that the income continuance benefit is not insured and the amount of flexibility/understanding may depend on whatever arcane rules govern your income continuance entitlements.

I still think you need to talk to your employer, but I agree that you need to be careful how you present it to them as you do not want to do anything that would jeopardise the continuing payment of your benefit.

Regards
Homer

I finally bucked up the courage to call yesterday and I dont even recall giving my name but as the course is 3 hours a week they have no problem... thankfully