If i leave, can i claim??

Herbster

Well i have had sick notes from my doctor all the way back to july 07 when i first started having trouble. But i have been off continuously since Nov 08. Seen the doctor actually today and mentioned i was thinking of leaving my job as i felt i no longer could go back, he didnt mention incapacity benefit to me at all. Is that something i would have to request of the doctor?

taxi97w

No.

You just need the sick note off the doctor (which you have already) so go to DHSS or whatever it's called now and tell them the situation.

Edit.
I left my work, due to them causing the depression in me. If you are unfit for work, which you are, DHSS can't put you on unemployment benefit because that means you are fit to look for work, so they will put you on incapacity benefit.

Liz_the_Whizz

Hi Herbster,

Sorry to hear about your troubles. Most employers do try to seek an outcome where an employee is out of sick pay, so I do not necessarily think your employer is acting in an underhand or out of turn manner. They are trying to give you a soft landing in effect, but if you are unfit to return, they will have no alternative but dismissal.

Nor does it really sound like bullying - after all, they have to contact you somehow to let you know the realities of your employment situation. Hopefully they did this in a sensitive manner.

I'm not sure that raking over the coals at work is really what is best in your circumstances. Maybe the union can work their magic, but the root problem is that you don't really want to be there, do you?

My advice would be to close that chapter, tender your resignation and get on with the gradual process of feeling better about life.

Hope it works out for you.

busy_mom_2

A couple of things, firstly i would not resign you can claim ESA the new incapacity benefit, you just need to phone the contact centre and they will do everything over the phone.
There is no 'wait 6 weeks before claiming JSA' but as you are too ill to work this benefit is not appropriate, really to claim JSA you have to be fit and able to work.
If it is your job thats making you ill then you can look for another job but ask your local jobcentre for support.