Help - benefits after being sacked?

Two4Tuesday

I disagree with that. ESA is not just for people who can't work. It's for people who have a limited capability for work, and the work capability assessment defines what that limited capability is. As Aliasaila says, having two epileptic fits per week would certainly qualify for 15 points.

If someone tries hard to work despite this health problem then good for them, but it should not mean that they should not be claiming ESA while still looking for work.

Aliasaila

I'm very confused, if it's for people who are incapable of work then why do the people who claim it have to go to the job centre for work related interviews?

If having uncontrolled epilepsy means I have limited capability for work does that not exclude me from claiming job seekers allowance anyway because I am limited in the types of job that I can apply for?

Torry_Quine

Aliasaila wrote: »

I'm very confused, if it's for people who are incapable of work then why do the people who claim it have to go to the job centre for work related interviews?

If having uncontrolled epilepsy means I have limited capability for work does that not exclude me from claiming job seekers allowance anyway because I am limited in the types of job that I can apply for?

If your epilepsy is that bad and uncontrolled then how could you work in a busy supermarket? I ask only because I am intrigued not being cheeky.

Lots of people are limited in what they can do but it doesn't mean they can get ESA, that is why there are disability advisors.

Indie_Kid

Aliasaila wrote: »

I'm very confused, if it's for people who are incapable of work then why do the people who claim it have to go to the job centre for work related interviews?

Because they've decided that they'd rather help people get back into work rather than sitting on benefits.

If having uncontrolled epilepsy means I have limited capability for work does that not exclude me from claiming job seekers allowance anyway because I am limited in the types of job that I can apply for?

I'm limited to what jobs I can and can't do. Yet, I'm perfectly entitled to claim JSA.

Aliasaila

I don't work on the main shop floor, I work in one of the small specialist departments which is separate to the main building. I couldn't work in the warehouse or in any of the proper supermarkety bits, i've brought down more shelves than I've ever put up!

Torry_Quine

What do you actually do in the small specialist department - eg do you have any customer contact?

FleurDuLys

The work related meetings only happen very occasionally, and they're designed to help you do things which will help you get back into work when you're well enough.

The DirectGov website says: "Employment and Support Allowance is a benefit for people who cannot work because of illness or disability".

If your epilepsy is preventing you from working then you should probably apply.

Torry_Quine

FleurDuLys wrote: »

The work related meetings only happen very occasionally, and they're designed to help you do things which will help you get back into work when you're well enough.

The DirectGov website says: "Employment and Support Allowance is a benefit for people who cannot work because of illness or disability".

If your epilepsy is preventing you from working then you should probably apply.

Her epilepsy hasn't prevented her working though, it is just because she may loose her job.

robpw2

im sorry but you should not be trying to claim esa just because you may be sanctioned if you claim jsa
your are not incapable of working as your currently employed , and you will not be incapable of looking for work

Aliasaila

Yeah I have customer contact, I have epilepsy - it's not contagious!

I'm a dispensing assistant in the pharmacy. I serve on the counter from time to time but I mostly assemble prescriptions and waste a few bottles a week of kids suspensions from having a seizure when I'm making them up. Aside from that I do my job well and they trained me to work in admin but stopped letting me do it when I broke a fax and a printer in one seizure (oops).

Morally I should probably apply for JSA but I've paid NI for years and if I can get something out of the system to keep me afloat while I job hunt then I will.