Unusual problem signing on

frank_begbie

Strawberrydog wrote: »

I have an unusual problem which has in the past made it difficult to sign on, and I find myself having to do it again.

I'm available for work, and I'm looking for a job, etc etc, I meet all the criteria for signing on. However, whenever I've been into the job centre I end up having a panick attack, or at the very least I feel extremely anxious and uncomfortable. On occasions this has resulted in me walking out, having JSA suspended and other problems, having to explain myself and not being believed. It's even worse when it affects HB because as soon as JSA stops or gets suspended, the council are informed automatically, causing me even more grief, making me more nervous, and on it goes. I don't want to go through that any more.

I don't have this problem at job interviews or when working, so that's not really an issue at all. And I can handle the initial interview at the job centre although it can be tricky but I can get through it especially since that only needs to be done once. My problem isn't harsh enough for me to go to the doctor or anything like that. There's just something about the atmosphere of the job centre that makes me feel sick and panicky.

I'd just like to know if there is any way that I can sign on by post, or some other alternative, if there is one. Cheers.

Take a look on this site.

http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/

ianian99

Go to the doctor, get sick note. Eventually you will get loads of cash and a brand new car!!! lol

Strawberrydog

jamespir wrote: »

go see your doctor and see what he suggests

I have been to the doctor and he suggested trying to get on incapacity benefit. I don't want to do that because I don't like being labelled as incapacitated, and it makes more of an issue out of it than necessary. Also it would be like saying that I can't work when I can. I told him this and he then suggested that if the job centre could allow me to sign on by post that would solve the problem. I didn't give it much thought until recently because I didn't think it was at all possible to do that, but now I'm wondering if it is. I don't mind going back to the doctor and getting some sort of note from him saying that the environment in the job centre triggers my panic, but only if there's a chance that it will make a difference.

And I really appreciate the supportive posts from everyone else. Cheers, it's helping a lot.

themull1

Have a kalm tablet before you go, and take someone with you.

dmg24

Have you looked at the CBT information yet?

faithcecilia

When I was signing on for a few weeks last year I was quite anxious generally, and found the job centre an especially stressful place. I knew I had no choice but to go if I wanted my JSA, but I was allowed the first appointment in the morning so I was in and out very quickly. I found this the best solution for me. I was, however, also having some pretty in depth counselling at the same time (for a far bigger problem) and after a few weeks it didn't bother me, and then I got a job so it wasn't an issue at all! With any luck you will only need to sign on a few times, but it might be worth asking to have the first appointment if you think it would help you.

cit_k

Strawberrydog wrote: »

I have been to the doctor and he suggested trying to get on incapacity benefit. I don't want to do that because I don't like being labelled as incapacitated, and it makes more of an issue out of it than necessary. Also it would be like saying that I can't work when I can. I told him this and he then suggested that if the job centre could allow me to sign on by post that would solve the problem. I didn't give it much thought until recently because I didn't think it was at all possible to do that, but now I'm wondering if it is. I don't mind going back to the doctor and getting some sort of note from him saying that the environment in the job centre triggers my panic, but only if there's a chance that it will make a difference.

And I really appreciate the supportive posts from everyone else. Cheers, it's helping a lot.

I think I would be changing doctors, you cant put in a claim for IB anymore, it was replaced with ESA for new claimaints quite some time ago...

And any doctor should know from experience with other patients that it would be virtually impossible to get IB (or ESA) under the circumstances you have described.

mumcoll

Going to the dentist for me, especially for any treatment, is incredibly stressful and anxiety-provoking. I take a low dose of diazepam before I go (prescribed from the doctor) and it makes me feel calm. In fact it was on my dentist's suggestion, many years ago, as I was so anxious he really couldn't work with me. Ask your GP about it.

real1314

Sambucus_Nigra wrote: »

I know a secret loophole that means you don't have to go into the job centre to sign on?

Jobcentres don't have "secret loopholes"; All of the regulations are published.

However by keeping your "method" secret, you keep it from any scrutiny or testing and therefore it should not be viewed as having any proven worth.

Sambucus_Nigra

real1314 wrote: »

Jobcentres don't have "secret loopholes"; All of the regulations are published.

However by keeping your "method" secret, you keep it from any scrutiny or testing and therefore it should not be viewed as having any proven worth.

Hi

There is no secret method.

It was in response to the query 'what do you expect people to say?'.

ie

Q - I'm not sure what else you expect people to say?

A - I know a secret loophole that means you don't have to go into the job centre to sign on?

ie - the OP is LOOKING for a secret loophole, and expecting people to give them an 'out' to avoid having to attend their JSA sessions.

That's why there was a question mark at the end of the phrase, as in 'perhaps this is what the OP is looking for?'.