May need to change from ESA to JSA.

coachvee

Hey all,

OK this situation is a little fiddly. My partner's claiming ESA, as a joint claim, but he soon needs to book a trip to look after ill family members back home, for the foreseeable future. This of course means we can't receive ESA when he does go. (and I certainly see the irony of him being ill himself, going to help his ill family and losing his sickness benefit)

So, my first thought would be to cancel the ESA claim, and open a new, individual JSA claim in my name. (Past experience shows that trying to move/change existing claims is more trouble than it's worth, and I'd be better off cancelling the old claim, then starting a new one) It'd be exactly half of the money we're currently getting, but it would just barely cover what I need it to... provided i can figure out the timings.

This leads on nicely into my question. Has anyone had any recent experience when it comes to the JSA new claim turnaround times? As in, from when they first call, to getting their first payment? I'm really worried about having enough money for bills, since I'd have to cancel that ESA claim the day he leaves, and then call for my new JSA claim the same day. How long would it take from that first call? Isn't it usually about 4 weeks? Not sure if it's changed since I last looked into this...

Many thanks in advance!

FleurDuLys

Are you well enough to work? If not, you can't claim JSA.

coachvee

It's my partner who is claiming ESA - I am on his claim. I've never been asked for anything from them - all of the claim has been based on him. I'm *now* well enough to work, yes.