JSA and psychotherpy and other appts.

b-man

Hi all,

I lost my job six months ago and it started a chain of events which has lead me to realise and deal with a lot of problems.

My situation is that I am finding it hard to get work to fit around my Doctors appointements and meetings with the Alchohol centre,

I dont want to give these things up as they are helping me to deal with a lot of stuff, but i do really want to get back to work.

I am concerned about telling the jobcentre about how this is holding me back for fear that I will no longer be eligible for JSA and therefore have no money to live on.

I would appreciate it if anyone who has experience of this or a similar situation could help me out with what the rules are before I go back to sign on tomorrow,

Many thanks,

Bman

karenx

When on JSA you must be activly seeking employment, and as you dont work you are therefor available any day at any time to attend interviews etc!
I would think its best to explain about this just incase they maybe arrange an interview for you at a time you cant make it because of a meeting

b-man

hi thanks karen -

do you know how it would effect me looking for work around these commitments? can you claim JSA whilst looking for part time work (over 16 hours) - can you claim JSA if you can only work afternoons say?

thanks,

Bman

dookar

You may restrict your availability for reasons of health or disability.

skintbint_2

ask for an appointment with a Disability Employment adviser, who wil also be able to identify any further assitance you may require or may be entitled to, to you get back into work

dmg24

How many appts a week do you have?

Many people with health conditions manage to keep appts and work full time.

b-man

about 4 a week, even if an employer is cool with that, then i dont think i am. I'm dealing with some very tough stuff at the moment and sometimes need abit of time before going back to work, plus you got the travel time. Im trying to be realistic and I think working part time is realistic at the moment. its not like doing physio where you just get dressed and its over, unfortunately.

Thanks for your reply's. By the sound of it, I can talk to the job centre and get their feedback tomorrow. I dont consider myself disabled, so I guess all that I need to ask is whether I still qualify for JSA, now that im looking for part time rather than full time work.

skintbint_2

you can claim JSA but what the jobcentre will do is look at your illness (they use the term Disability Adviser unfortuantely to cover an adviser who deals with anybody who has an ongoing medical condition) and they will look at the type of job you are capable of at present and discuss what you feel capable of but they will also look at the time you are at appointments, there is schemes called supported employment so definitely ask for an appointment with the DEA.

b-man

thanks skintbint.

yeah that doesnt sound like something i'm comfortable doing. Im not sure i want them getting that involved, I don't want to be treated like an ill person. I just want to work part-time. Unfortunately I have seen the way the jobcentre has handled many situations and that makes me even less assured that I want them getting involved (however lightly) in my personal business.

I'm guessing I'm not obliged to tell them why I only want a part-time job am I? As long as other medical stuff doesnt affect interviews? I just want to be sure of what the rules are before I go in tomorrow.

dookar

b-man wrote: »

thanks skintbint.

yeah that doesnt sound like something i'm comfortable doing. Im not sure i want them getting that involved, I don't want to be treated like an ill person. I just want to work part-time. Unfortunately I have seen the way the jobcentre has handled many situations and that makes me even less assured that I want them getting involved (however lightly) in my personal business.

I'm guessing I'm not obliged to tell them why I only want a part-time job am I? As long as other medical stuff doesnt affect interviews? I just want to be sure of what the rules are before I go in tomorrow.

You absolutely *must* explain to them why you are only available part time. If you don't want the folk in the job centre to know then you should dispute your jobseeker's agreement and draw up your own with your desired pattern of availability.

It will go to a decision maker whom you must inform of your reasons for the restricted availability. They are unlikely to have sufficient expertise and so may ask for the opinion of an ESA DM. The decision makers are 'faceless' and not people you need to see.

dmg24

b-man wrote: »

thanks skintbint.

yeah that doesnt sound like something i'm comfortable doing. Im not sure i want them getting that involved, I don't want to be treated like an ill person. I just want to work part-time. Unfortunately I have seen the way the jobcentre has handled many situations and that makes me even less assured that I want them getting involved (however lightly) in my personal business.

I'm guessing I'm not obliged to tell them why I only want a part-time job am I? As long as other medical stuff doesnt affect interviews? I just want to be sure of what the rules are before I go in tomorrow.

You cannot have it both ways. If you wish to limit your jobseeking as a result of your health condition, you need to be honest. If you are not, it is likely that your claim will be sanctioned.