Hrs available to work on JSA

Terri.ann

I'm new to this so sorry if I've put this in the wrong place.

I was dismissed from my last job in Dec 09 after 3 months on sick. Since then I've claimed JSA. On Mon I went to see Dr, who gave me sick note for 4 wks. I made a claim for ESA + advised council re LHA. However I don't want to be on sick for long as sitting at home all day on my own makes me feel worse. If I go bk on JSA at the end of 4 wks, do I still have to be available to work 40 hrs a wk? Couldn't cope with that at min as I've had an awful time lately.

suelees1

then why don't you stay on ESA and look for work anyway? You don't need to be on JSA to do that. However if you want to claim JSA you will need to discuss your working pattern with your advisor at the JCP.

Terri.ann

So are you allowed to limit hrs available to work on JSA, if you discuss it with an adviser? When I made my claim I was told I had to be available to work 40 hrs a wk, no ifs or buts, even tho I told her I left my last job due to ill health.

oldmotherreilly

No, if you have a health problem you do not have to be available for 40 hours a week. However, if you are looking for fewer hours, the jobs you are looking for have to correspond with the hours you are looking for eg if you were looking for bar work for 25 hours a week but were only available between 6am and 10am Monday to Saturday then that might be considered restrictive. (an extreme example but hope it makes sense!)

dookar

If the reason for the restriction is a physical or mental condition then you do not need to show reasonable prospects of finding employment within those restrictions. You must be available for work for as many hours as your physical or mental condition allows and no fewer than 1 per week