Resigningn from job - am I entitled to JSA

Lollypop75

Hiya,

I was in a similar position a while ago. I suffer from depression (and some anxiety), and it got quite severe in my previous job. I ended up taking some time off sick, and even found that stressful so I had to resign. I applied for Employment and Support Allowance (which has replaced Incapacity Benefit as the benefit for those on long term sick). It's the same money as JSA.

ESA has two phases (I think). The first is 13 weeks, and in this time your GP provides you with sick notes, and then you will be assessed by someone which will go to the DWP. At this stage for me the doctor I saw said I would be able to return to work within 6 months (which I thought was appropriate). However the DWP decided that I should go back to work straight away. At this point I applied for JSA, and they had no problems approving my claim (although they did mess up quite a bit!).

On the other hand, as someone else has suggested, applying for JSA if you get a letter from your GP might be an option, although I don't know if they will approve that; they may expect you to have tried to improve the situation in your current job. But as another poster has said if you're not available for work you won't be eligible for JSA. Or you could take some time off sick and see what happens.

I found that it was really important that I look after myself, and, much as I have had a great deal of trouble finding another job, I'm really glad that I took this time out.

I hope you are able to find some solution to this so that you can feel better. I also hope your GP is good about it all!

afk25

Hi there

I feel for you I have been and am still in a manner of speaking in the same position. I am not sure what your work set up or back up is, if any but here are a few ideas for you:

Take some time off - get to the GP and sign yourself off sick it will give you time to breathe. Check what you are entitled to sick pay wise as well.

Does your employer have an Occupational Health Officer? If so go and see them. I found mine invaluable and he was very supportive. This should be confidential and they could give you ideas to help and could have some clout with managers about making changes. It is NOT a magic wand but could help you stick at it until you find alternative employment. Having someone on your side is so important too, just having someone to talk to helpsb:T.

Go to your GP and see if you can get some counselling. Its likely there will be a long waiting list so it maybe worth seeing if your employer would assist financially or maybe they have a scheme set up. If not there are some organisations who will help you for a small charge or free if you can't afford to pay.

I know how desperate you feel I wanted just to resign too but it could come at a high cost. Firstly you may not get benefits and even if you leave on the grounds of ill health it doesn't look good to prospective employers. One manager I know described it as being "sacked for being sick" and leave you at a big disadvantage when looking for other work.

If you can do anything to help improve your situation rather than just leave it looks better and when you feel ready start applying for other jobs. It looks much better to a prospective employer if you are in work and even if you have record of long sick absences which I have in the past if they see you overcame issues at work it works more to your advantage.

I hope this helps and wish you lots of strength and luck, you can overcome this and you will find yourself a much stronger person when you do. :A

Oldernotwiser

afk25 wrote: »

Hi there



Take some time off - get to the GP and sign yourself off sick it will give you time to breathe. Check what you are entitled to sick pay wise as well.

:A

It is not for you to "sign yourself off sick" but for your doctor to decide whether this is, in fact, the case.

afk25

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

It is not for you to "sign yourself off sick" but for your doctor to decide whether this is, in fact, the case.

Actually you can for a few days, using self certification. Can't remember how long for but afterwards you would need a Drs. note/agreement. I am sure the OP knows this anyway....