Help - benefits after being sacked?

FleurDuLys

Absolutely, it comes down to your GP really - they know you and your condition, so if they are willing to sign you off sick (ie provide you with fit notes) then you can claim ESA.

robpw2

Aliasaila wrote: »

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.

you pay your insurance do you claim off that every year just because you have paid it ..

fraud is still fraud and what you would be doing is commitning fraud

robpw2

FleurDuLys wrote: »

Absolutely, it comes down to your GP really - they know you and your condition, so if they are willing to sign you off sick (ie provide you with fit notes) then you can claim ESA.

so your condoning benefit fraud ?

Two4Tuesday

Don't feel bad about claiming ESA. If you are entitled to claim ESA then by all means do so. If you're still looking for work at the same time - with an employer that will take you on and make adjustments for someone with epilepsy, then kudos to you.

so your condoning benefit fraud ?

There's no benefit fraud going on here. The OP is entitled to claim ESA.

FleurDuLys

If her GP feels that she's not well enough to work then they will sign a note to say that, and she can claim ESA. Fair enough yes?

From what she says here, I don't believe she will be eligible for ESA as it doesn't sound like she is unable to work. But her GP will know far better than I do, they know her and they know how badly she is affected by her condition.

Indie_Kid

cyclops. wrote: »

If by doing this is it gets round the fact of a sanction, then so be it. Surely you wouldn't want to wait for up to 26 weeks without money just to satisfy that sanction when you would be paid in full if you claimed another benefit?
End of story.

The OP can claim hardship payments.

Torry_Quine

Aliasaila wrote: »

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.

There was no need for that outburst but I'll put it down to worrying about the hearing!

I am well aware that epilepsy is not contagious but really don't see how someone who is regularly having fits could be safe to work in an environment such as you describe, sorry if that sounds harsh! It is hard to believe that Health and Safety Guidlines wouldn't be breached by having someone assemble prescriptions or serving customers who is at risk of a fit at any time!

robpw2

Two4Tuesday wrote: »

Don't feel bad about claiming ESA. If you are entitled to claim ESA then by all means do so. If you're still looking for work at the same time - with an employer that will take you on and make adjustments for someone with epilepsy, then kudos to you.



There's no benefit fraud going on here. The OP is entitled to claim ESA.

esa is for those who are sick and unable to find work
whilst the op may have epilepsy it does not appear from the fact she is working prevent her from finding work .

she should apply for jsa but because there is a chance she might get sancticioned you are all suggesting she plays on her "disability" to claim something so she is not sanctioned .. to me that fraud ..

Two4Tuesday

robpw2 wrote: »

esa is for those who are sick and unable to find work
whilst the op may have epilepsy it does not appear from the fact she is working prevent her from finding work .

she should apply for jsa but because there is a chance she might get sancticioned you are all suggesting she plays on her "disability" to claim something so she is not sanctioned .. to me that fraud ..

Just because you say it's fraud doesn't make it so. There is a clear Work Capability Assessment and the OP would clearly meet the criteria for entitlement to ESA. The fact that she is working now, with a sympathetic employer who makes adjustments for her health condition doesn't change that.

FleurDuLys

In order to get as far as having a Work Capability Assessment though, you do need to have been signed off work/jobseeking by your GP, who will give you a fit note to say that.