Whilst every employer must offer sick pay by law, this sick pay is rarely enough to survive on – especially if you’re ill and out of work for a long period. Fortunately, your finances shouldn’t have to suffer too. Here are a few ways that you may be able to fund your time off sick.

Work from home

In some jobs that only require a computer and a phone, you may be able to take the option to work from home. Even if you take on reduced responsibilities, you may still be earning more than you are on statutory sick pay. This is ideal for recovering from injuries or surgery where you may simply have mobility issues. However, there may be some forms of illness where staring at a screen or having to speak on the phone isn’t possible.

Check your pension

Some pension schemes may be able to provide ill-health benefits which could help fund your time off sick. Another option for those that are older and nearing retirement could be to look into retiring early, especially if an illness is likely to be long term or permanent. It’s always worth thoroughly investigating the benefits of doing this first – in some cases it may be better to hold out.

Seek help from charities

For long-term sickness, you may be eligible to a charity grant, especially if you’re the main breadwinner. On a related note, there may be some government benefits that you’re entitled to. You may also be able to get help from your local council if you have no friends and family to provide for you and handle day-to-day tasks.

Make a legal claim

In some cases, illness could be the result of someone else’s wrongdoing. You could have been injured in a road accident or unsafe work conditions could have led to you being ill. Whatever the case, you may be able to file a legal claim. Solicitors may focus in different areas so it’s best finding one specialised in your type of claim such as a motorcycle accident lawyer. Any money won through a claim may then be used to help fund you whilst recovering.

Sell your clutter

Being housebound can have some advantages – it may be the perfect opportunity to sort things out around the house that you’ve been meaning to get on top of. This could involve decluttering your home. It’s likely there will be items in your home that can be sold for cash. There are many ways of selling items online. Many sites can require buyers to collect items, which may save the hassle of postage or self-delivery if you’re too ill.

You may even be able to make a profit buying and selling items from the comfort of your armchair. There are also lots of other ways of making money online. For helping to earn a little extra on the side, it’s worth looking into these money-making methods.