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50Twuncle

dmg24 wrote: »

The JCP will question why, if you have been fit for work for the past six months, you do not feel that you are fit for work now? If the position had carried on, would you have been fit to continue?

I would say probably no - my knees are both giving up....
and the job involves a fair amount of walking.
But will DWP say "You can get a desk job somewhere ?"
I don't think that in the current economic conditions - that is going to be easy - although, before anyone starts - I am aware that the economy is not taken into account with benefits
All that I am saying is that, 12 months ago - at my original Atos medicals - I was found to be incapable enough to claim ESA - I have since then found myself a suitable job (6 months) and shortly will be out of work again - medically, I am the same, if not slightly worse than I was 12 months ago - What does this say about the original diagnosis by DWPs doctor ?

dmg24

21Twinkle wrote: »

I would say probably no - my knees are both giving up....
and the job involves a fair amount of walking.

So why have you not given up the job now? Illness does not occur on a given date in the future, and this is the point that the JCP will have trouble with.

50Twuncle

dmg24 wrote: »

So why have you not given up the job now? Illness does not occur on a given date in the future, and this is the point that the JCP will have trouble with.

Because at the moment - I am struggling to come to terms with my disability - it varies from day to day (hour to hour) !!
I feel that at the moment - I can just about cope (the job is only 1/4 mile up the road from my house) - which makes a huge difference - if I managed (somehow) to find another job - it could be 30 miles away.

dmg24

21Twinkle wrote: »

Because at the moment - I am struggling to come to terms with my disability - it varies from day to day (hour to hour) !!
I feel that at the moment - I can just about cope (the job is only 1/4 mile up the road from my house) - which makes a huge difference - if I managed (somehow) to find another job - it could be 30 miles away.

The question the JCP want to know is are you fit for work? By your own admission you are coping, albeit with limitations. What will happen on the day your contract ends to mean that you can no longer cope?

50Twuncle

dmg24 wrote: »

The question the JCP want to know is are you fit for work? By your own admission you are coping, albeit with limitations. What will happen on the day your contract ends to mean that you can no longer cope?

I have no idea how I will feel or what will happen
So - if I handed in my notice with say a fortnight to go (on the grounds that I can no longer cope) - would that improve my chances of retaining my benefits ?
Come on - that would be biting my nose off to spite my face....

dmg24

21Twinkle wrote: »

I have no idea how I will feel or what will happen
So - if I handed in my notice with say a fortnight to go (on the grounds that I can no longer cope) - would that improve my chances of retaining my benefits ?
Come on - that would be biting my nose off to spite my face....

So if you don't know how you will feel, you do not know that you will not be fit for work! I don't see why you are so unwilling to claim JSA?

bestpud

21Twinkle wrote: »

I have no idea how I will feel or what will happen
So - if I handed in my notice with say a fortnight to go (on the grounds that I can no longer cope) - would that improve my chances of retaining my benefits ?
Come on - that would be biting my nose off to spite my face....

I think you are worrying about something that may never happen tbh.

I can see why you are worried but that is the reason ESA was implemented in the first place. Ideally, it is a step between sickness and work.

You've had the trial and it's all going well but you are worrying what will happen at the end, which is natural. Heck, I reckon people on JSA would worry just the same but your health problems possibly make it seem worse.

How about starting to seek alternative work a month or so before the trial ends? And maybe speak to your current manager and ask if there is anything they feel you could be doing to improve your chance of getting another job?

Try and be proactive iyswim? It's easier to get a job while you have one so it will be far better for you to go straight into another job.

If you are concerned about 'selling yourself' to future employers at interviews etc, then speak to your advisor and get help now.

Don't write yourself off through fear. ESA will always be there if you need it again in the future - it's not like you will lose access to it forever by working while you can.

What sector are you working in? Maybe someone on here can offer you advice/support with job hunting?

50Twuncle

bestpud wrote: »

I think you are worrying about something that may never happen tbh.

I can see why you are worried but that is the reason ESA was implemented in the first place. Ideally, it is a step between sickness and work.

You've had the trial and it's all going well but you are worrying what will happen at the end, which is natural. Heck, I reckon people on JSA would worry just the same but your health problems possibly make it seem worse.

How about starting to seek alternative work a month or so before the trial ends? And maybe speak to your current manager and ask if there is anything they feel you could be doing to improve your chance of getting another job?

Try and be proactive iyswim? It's easier to get a job while you have one so it will be far better for you to go straight into another job.

If you are concerned about 'selling yourself' to future employers at interviews etc, then speak to your advisor and get help now.

Don't write yourself off through fear. ESA will always be there if you need it again in the future - it's not like you will lose access to it forever by working while you can.

What sector are you working in? Maybe someone on here can offer you advice/support with job hunting?

Thank you for those kind words
I am in IT Support

cit_k

dmg24 wrote: »

The JCP will question why, if you have been fit for work for the past six months, you do not feel that you are fit for work now? If the position had carried on, would you have been fit to continue?

The JCP question your fitness to work if you own guinea pigs, walk a dog, buy milk from a corner shop, etc. The JPC dont have much in the way of brain power sometimes.

I would not expect them to examine the facts properly, even the tribunal service has given up trying to report the DWP's own incompetance to them.