One of my biggest concerns going into this donor business, was how will I support myself whilst off work. Rent & bills still needs to be paid! My family can't help me, even if I wanted them to as it can be seen as coercion.
If you are employed you are of course entitled to statutory sick pay and if you employer offers their own sick pay scheme, you can have that to. When I started this journey I was employed and thought that I would probably take the first month as holiday, as company sick pay wasn't offered other than statutory. It really depends on your employer, I guess. Some see it as a great thing to do and will offer as much help as they can, others will just offer the minimum.
Now, 5 weeks away from surgery, I find myself in a different situation, I am eligible to claim Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) up until the time of the surgery, then I will have to claim Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) during my recovery period. I am also entitled to housing benefit and council tax benefit, but to what amount remains to be seen as I only put in my claim yesterday. I'll try and update this when I find out.
Another great thing, is that I am able to claim for all my travel and reasonable miscellaneous expenses back from the NHS. So trips to both Brighton & London hospitals etc etc.
If you are employed, you can also apply for a loss of earning grant, I think the cap is £5000. But definitely something to think about claiming.
I was very surprised to discover that these things exist. After all it is my decision to donate I don't have to. However, I guess there needs to some sort of "perk" for giving up an organ.
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