Poor health, new deal courses and losing benefits?

mikep932

I'd be very grateful if someone could give me some information.

I'm in my late 50s, have worked most of my life but was made redundant just over 18 months ago. I have not been able to find a job since and have been on JSA and have been getting benefits for my rent and council tax.

I started off with a positive attitude and have applied for hundred or more jobs offline and well over a thousand online - and have had several interviews (without success) during that time. However, as time has gone on I have been getting more and more depressed. In addition I have some heart problems I think through the stress and worry. I'm still applying for jobs and signing on but I get very shaky and panicky when I go out. My doctor has prescribed me anti-depressants and some other pills but if anything it is making things worse because of the side effects.

Under a "New Deal" the Jobcentre has informed me that I have to do a 2 week training course in a week and then a month later a 13 week course. The 2 week course is for "CV writing" and "Job searching". Both of these topics I know all about as it was part of my previous business. In addition it is with 18/24 year olds - I'll be 3 times as old as them.

The 13 week course is for "work experience". Again something that I know all about. This course particularly worries me because I don't think it will get me anywhere (others seem to say) and I will have little time to continue job searching full time for something I may have real chance at.

Anyway, I'm freaking out as they say. I'm definitely not a shirker and want to continue looking but all this is worrying me sick. My nerves are shot.

My questions:

1) I haven't had a sick note for perhaps 20 years but What is the situation with sick notes and perhaps not doing part/all of these courses?

2) If my doctor thinks I'm sick enough what period of time can I take off sick without affecting things?

3) If my JSA is stopped temporarily if have a long sick note will I still get my housing benefit paid?

4) Are there any other courses available that might be better get a job? I am fully IT literate so any IT courses wouldn't be much use to me.

I know some may be thinking that I shouldn't be worrying or complaining. There may be others far worse off than me but I'm in a mess and feel like I'm going downhill fast. Any help would be much appreciated.

Oldernotwiser

Although I can see that you feel that the courses may not benefit you, wouldn't it just be simpler to do them and continue to claim JSA? ESA is the benefit for people who are unable to work but, in the longer term you need more than just a doctor's note to qualify for it.

SarEl

I have got to agree with both of you! I doubt the courses will teach you a damned thing - but you may be able to help out some of the others with your greater experience, because in my experience some of the older participants know more than the tutors!

But I would caution against "failing to co-operate" - they have the power to stop benefits. If you go into this with an open mind determined to get something out of it, then maybe you just might! If only getting out and about and meeting some new people who are as !!!!ed off with life as you are

You say that you haven't had a sick note in years. It shows - there are no such things any more. They are now fitness notes, and things could get complicated. The new notes have to assess what you are fit to do, as opposed to "refraining from work", and you would have to be very ill indeed for a doctor to be able to honestly say that you couldn't go on a course. And if he did this, you might find that you get hauled in as not avaialble for work and that opens up a whole new can of worms in terms of the benefits you receive.

I'd also have to be utterly honest, and say - are you sure that you couldn't get some benefit from all this? Yes, you are older and that doesn't help. Yes, there's a recession and jobs are harder to come by. But you have a stable employment history and a lot of enthusiasm to get back into work. But you say yourself that you have applied for thousands of jobs - and only got "several interviews". If you learned one useful thing and it helped you get a job, wouldn't it be worth it? Or to put it another way - what have you got to loose? Having to do this is stressing you because you are nervous and unsure about it - if you change your mind and decide that you ARE going to get something out of it no matter what, then you won't be half as stressed.

I know it's hard, after a lifetime of working, to be pushed out and have to find your way in a world that has changed alot since the last time you had to find work. But people who are motivated do get there, and you obviously want to do so - so I am confident that you will. Not worrying about it is easier said than done. But it is the way to cope. Something will come along, and until it does - go with the flow. You never know - you might just have a laugh! And maybe it will open up some new ideas that you hadn't considered.

mikep932

Many thanks for your time spent replying. You never know I may get something from the courses. However my health really worries me and if my doctor thinks I am "unfit" what are the next steps?

1) How long can I be unfit / ill for before jeopardizing my situation?

2) If am unfit after this time would it impact both my JSA and housing benefit or both?

3) If my doctor thinks I am really in a bad way - more permanent - what happens next?

Thanks again.

Oldernotwiser

You can be ill for up to a fortnight and still claim JSA. HB can be claimed regardless of any other benefits as it means tested on income.

If you are ill for longer than this you can claim ESA but, after a short time you will be assessed independently and, from what you have said, you won't be accepted. If you then go back on to JSA, you are likely to return to the same point in the cycle where you left.

One thing to remember, it won't help your jobseeking, especially as an older person, to have been claiming sickness benefits.

By the way, when will you be 60?

LittleVoice

mikep932 wrote: »

. . . I'm in my late 50s, have worked most of my life but was made redundant just over 18 months ago. I have not been able to find a job since and have been on JSA and have been getting benefits for my rent and council tax.

I started off with a positive attitude and have applied for hundred or more jobs offline and well over a thousand online - and have had several interviews (without success) during that time. . . .

The 2 week course is for "CV writing" and "Job searching". Both of these topics I know all about as it was part of my previous business.
. . .

The 13 week course is for "work experience". Again something that I know all about. .. . .

I'm afraid I can't answer the questions you posed at the end of your posts as I don't have the knowledge. However ...

You say you "know all about" CV writing and job searching and 'work experience' because it was part of your previous business. What business was that? Were you providing advice to others on how to find work? In the 18 months that have passed since you were last employed, there may be new suggestions on how to go about things - there are fashions in CVs as you will know. Perhaps having a refresher for a couple of weeks would be a good thing.

Regarding work experience, you may know all about it but you haven't done it for 18 months. Getting back in the workplace should be beneficial. It could help lift your mood and give you a sense of purpose if you look at it in the right way. It will prove to others that you are capable to still be a good employee.

terryw

Sarel,

What a smashing post.

ONW,

As usual your posts assist. You give unbiased helpful advice.

LV,

Very good advice.

Mike (the OP),

Mate, I really hope that you end up with me on the 13 week course! I have just taken up the job as a tutor on this. I have very mixed feelings (see my previous posts) but I am honestly a caring sort of bloke. Go for it - at least it will be something different and you might get something out of it. For what it is worth, many of the "clients" (to use the jargon !) are older peeps and you will not be on your own - trust me on this!

Best of British.

terryw

Sorry that I don't know the answer to your main enquiry points