Refused jobseekers allowance

juliehendry

My ex-partner has ADHD, which has resulted in several abusive episodes in which he has been removed by the police (one time sectioned too).

Three weeks ago he had another psychotic episode and the police told me as they were removing him not to take him back into the house. Three days later he called - he had no money and nowhere to go (we recently moved to Scotland from London). Of course I love the sane rational man and figured it would only be a few days until they rehomed him and provided benefits.

It's been two weeks now. Today he got a letter refusing his JSA. I have no idea why, he showed up to the appointment, he is available to work (he was a house husband due to his ADHD causing issues at his last job), he is a British Citizen (was brought up in Canada though).

I am being forced to live in fear, and now it looks like he will never get any money to move out. I'm scared.

His psych was of no use to us at all and we cannot figure out why he was refused JSA, It's costing me a fortune in food, medication, heating etc (I'm usually not at home during the day) plus I am so uncomfortable - I feel like crying all the time.

Please can someone point me somewhere that could help, I'm close to a breakdown, I can't see anyway forward and I've never had to claim benefit so have no clue what has happened.

I called the spousal abuse line for help when I heard about the jsa - I had been banking on him being given this and subsequently moving - they just took a message and said they would call back.

How do I get this sorted out???

Sprintblue

You need to pop to a CAB with all your circumstances and they should be able to answer your question.

Good luck.

kelloggs36

Do you work? Has he paid enough contributions? If you work over 24 hours per week, he won't get any JSA (Income Based) or if he hasn't paid enough national insurance he won't get JSA (contributions based).

juliehendry

thanks for your advice guys. I do work, but I just cannot afford to keep someone who is no longer my partner. He needs to have money to be able to move, but are you saying while he is in my spare room he won't get money? It sounds lke a catch-22. Another night of terror and tears I guess. Although I will get to CAB asap- thanks for that!

cifpower

Maybe he should claim for ESA or DLA instead?

juliehendry

cifpower wrote: »

Maybe he should claim for ESA or DLA instead?

what is ESA?

cifpower

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/esa/

lynnexxxo

JSA is really only for people actively looking for work. Doesn't sounds as though he'd currently be able to work. Thats probably why he was refused.

hbgirl

there are lots of reasons they may have refused his JSA...

1. could be they have decided he is too sick to work in which case he needs to claim ESA.

2. they might have assumed you are living together as a couple in which case your work and income will possibly disallow him JSA

3. unlikley, but if he has recently return from canada, they could have decided he is not habitually resident in the UK (a british citizen can be a "person from abroad" for benefit purposes, beleive it or not).

you need to find out why he has been refused so he can appeal the decision or apply for the correct benefit. the CAB will help but also he can request a full statement of reasons in writing.

act quickly as there is a one month time limit to appeal a decision.

best of luck.

rosered1963

Hi - I'm just "bumping" up your thread in case anyone else can advise you. It sounds like the first priority is to get him out of your house. What about contacting Womens Aid for advice as well... Good luck