Redundancy or Dismissal for ESA

Hello
I am new to this so i hope i am posting in the right place. I am currently off sick from work (I have MS) and I will be unable to go back, I have been off sick for four months now. I work for the NHS and they give 6 months full pay then six months half pay then you go on to SSP.
The NHS is currently seeking volunteer redundancies and I am wondering if I should apply for this then if it is accepted go and apply for ESA or do I have to wait until I have been sacked or on SSP?
I really don't want to go on to halp pay as I cannot afford to pay bills etc on halp pay, I need ESA. If I did get redundancy it would only be a small sum so would not affect me applying for ESA.
My GP is totally supporting me giving up work but I just don't know when I can apply for ESA. When I go on to half pay it will only be £290 a month as I only work 10 hours a week.
Please can someone help me as I am starting to get anxious over this as I don't know what to do.
Most grateful for any replies.
Pam

hi pammy22 if you apply for voluntary redundency they will be able to tell you how much your lump sum would be it may be worth enquiring about ill health retirement as this may also apply I dont know about esa you would need expert advice for this good luck peter

When claiming benefits, you can have savings of up to £6k and then £1 is deducted for every £250 over that amount, up to £16k Any more than that equals no benefit.

Ranald wrote:

When claiming benefits, you can have savings of up to £6k and then £1 is deducted for every £250 over that amount, up to £16k Any more than that equals no benefit.

Surely this isn't the case for the first year which is contribution based not income based.

It is certainly worth looking at ill health retirement if you are entitled to a pension. You are still able to claim ESA benefit up to £85, You need independent advice to look at the options as it would be difficult to work out the details from redundancy or retirement. Good luck