JSA & Mental Health (Insomnia +)

blckbrd

You know I'm one of your biggest [STRIKE]stalkers[STRIKE] fans Fire Fox, sorry to read that you're struggling. Here's what it says on adviceguide.org.uk:
Available for work

You must be available for work to get Jobseeker's Allowance. This means that you must usually be able to start a job immediately. However, this is different if you look after someone or are doing voluntary work. If you have caring responsibilities or are doing voluntary work, you have to be available to start a job with one week’s notice but you must be available for a job interview within 48 hours’ notice. These times are longer if you're responsible for the care of a child under 16.
If you have a medical condition, you may be able to restrict yourself to particular types of jobs or jobs where you only have to work certain hours. You will have to provide medical evidence to allow you to restrict your availability for work like this. However, if your medical condition or a disability means it would be very difficult for you to find suitable work, you may not be able to get Jobseeker's Allowance and have to claim other benefits instead.
If you're responsible for a child under 16, you may be able to restrict your availability for work, for example, during the school holidays or during periods when your child is excluded from school.
For more information about benefits if you are sick or disabled, see Benefits for people who are sick or disabled.
If you are claiming income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance as one of a couple, you may both have to be available for work.
For more information on restricting your availability for work and what being available for work means, you should consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email, click on nearest CAB.


Pop down to you nearest CAB and see what they can do to help

Fire_Fox

I have another question please .... I applied for JSA by telephone and had my first appointment this week. The advisor was fine with me explaining about my sleeping issues, I explained I would be happy to do permanent late shifts and permanent weekends in order not to do early shifts (6/7am in my industry) and I have done this before as nobody else wants the weekends! She asked what time I could start and I said 10 or 11am.

She then said it would be better to put 10am. But later I remembered that she said I would have to agree to travel for up to an hour to get to work, that means I would need to be up by 8am which I just cannot do reliably in the winter. I know that makes me sound really lazy.

Can I change the Jobseekers agreement to 11am? I could start at 10am if work was on my doorstep, which is possible as I live in a city centre. Am I thinking about this too much??

jdturk

Fire_Fox wrote: »

I have another question please .... I applied for JSA by telephone and had my first appointment this week. The advisor was fine with me explaining about my sleeping issues, I explained I would be happy to do permanent late shifts and permanent weekends in order not to do early shifts (6/7am in my industry) and I have done this before as nobody else wants the weekends! She asked what time I could start and I said 10 or 11am.

She then said it would be better to put 10am. But later I remembered that she said I would have to agree to travel for up to an hour to get to work, that means I would need to be up by 8am which I just cannot do reliably in the winter. I know that makes me sound really lazy.

Can I change the Jobseekers agreement to 11am? I could start at 10am if work was on my doorstep, which is possible as I live in a city centre. Am I thinking about this too much??

You won't be able to if you don't ask

Fire_Fox

Thought I might update this.

The Jobcentre were very good with me - I happened to see the Disability Advisor for my thirteen week signing and, as a result, I did limit the hours I was willing able to work to 11am start and maximum of 30 hours (at her suggestion). Over the last fortnight I changed my medication and was high as a kite in two signings and again the Jobcentre staff were not phased.

And just in case anyone thinks I am making excuses and don't want to work, yesterday I had a second (tough practical) interview and do my first shift on Friday. :j Been unemployed exactly four months which I don't think is too bad in a recession and deprived area!!

Thanks everyone who posted to help me.

Evilm

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Thought I might update this.

The Jobcentre were very good with me - I happened to see the Disability Advisor for my thirteen week signing and, as a result, I did limit the hours I was willing able to work to 11am start and maximum of 30 hours (at her suggestion). Over the last fortnight I changed my medication and was high as a kite in two signings and again the Jobcentre staff were not phased.

And just in case anyone thinks I am making excuses and don't want to work, yesterday I had a second (tough practical) interview and do my first shift on Friday. :j Been unemployed exactly four months which I don't think is too bad in a recession and deprived area!!

Thanks everyone who posted to help me.

Glad to see things have not been too difficult for you. I hope that the shift work works for you. Its nice to see someone do well in this economy.