JSA...been referred to the Disability Advisor??

cit_k

zzzLazyDaisy wrote: »

Also, under the law, the issue of whether an illness counts as a disability must be judged on how you would be if you were not taking medication for it. So lupus may the criteria, even if it is currently well managed. Also a relapsing/remitting condition that meets the criteria during a relapse, continues to meet it when in remission. So it may just be that Lupus is recognised by the job centre as a disability, even if you don't consider yourself to be disabled (if that makes sense?)

Got a source for that?

zzzLazyDaisy

It was contained in the old Disability Discrimination Act, Schedule 1, Para 6.

The DDA was replaced this month by the new Equality Act - more info here...

http://www.officefordisability.gov.uk/docs/wor/new/ea-guide.pdf

elfieb

shepherdgirl wrote: »

Hi

This is very interesting, I have an appt with a DEA in a couple of weeks- can/do they tell potential employers about medical conditions you have ? Also can/do they arrange work placements that you have to attend ?

This is all new to me LOL TIA

From what I managed to pick up yesterday (bearing in mind that it was as clear as mud, hence me posting on here!!!)

The advisor mumbled something about the DEA having links to local businesses, so I gather if satisfactory, s/he would be able to arrange interviews, job trials etc.

She also mentioned something about going onto Flexible New Deal earlier, at this stage instead of waiting another 6 months.

LIke I said, she was highly confusing, im tempted to ring the job centre to find out exactly what goes on......

elfieb

Have just rang the jobcentre, as confusing as ever......:-)

I explained my feelings, and they informed me that as I stated I had an illness, they have to follow it up. My interview has been arranged, and she basically told me to state that I am fine now, and they will remove the illness from my casenotes! (wish it was as easy to remove in real life!!)

It seems that in the eyes of the job centre, it is not possible to have an illness and function like a normal person. It appears it is all or nothing.......disability or wiped from your case notes!

zzzLazyDaisy

Okay, this is just my opinion and others may disagree.

If you had flu or a broken leg, you could say that you no longer have the condition. But your lupus hasn't been cured, it is being well managed. You still have the condition. Hopefully the medication will continue to work and you will live a completely normal life, happily ever after. But it's more likely that even with medication you get days when you are more tired than usual, or feel the effects of your illness more than others. It is probably also true that you have coping mechanisms for dealing with those days, and it may be the case that what is a 'normal' day for you, is not the same as a 'normal' day for a fit healthy person of your age group.

If any of the above rings true, then if it were me, I would keep the condition on my record and attend the appointment, simply to see what they have to say. You can always decided afterwards that you are no longer ill......

I do speak from personal experience - I have an auto-immune disease which flares from time to time. Even with medication I used to spend time in hospital now and again. I was always up front about it. Yes, it meant that I didn't get some positions I went for (and no, I'd never be able to prove the refusal was related to my illness). But my illness didn't stop me being very successful in my profession ( until a car accident put paid to it) and the employers who took me on knowing about my condition from the outset were always very supportive (although to be fair, only an idiot would mess with an employment lawyer!)

As I say, I am sure others will have different views, and I honestly think in this instance, no-one is right or wrong - it is what is best for you that counts.