Pregnant on JSA

thebarrattfamily

Hi I wonder if someone could give me some advice please?

I've been on JSA for 6 weeks now, having come off Income Support which I have been on since last Novmber when I was made redundant.

I have just found out I'm pregnant, and really don't know what to do now? Obviously to claim JSA you have to be actively seeking a job - which I was - and was hoping to be in work, but now how can I actively be seeking a job when I'm pregnant?

I'm happy to go to work, but I am going to be at the hospital a lot due to past problems, and I can't see any employer taking on someone who is pregnant and is going to off a lot!

Everythng has gone pear shaped and I just don't know what to do next. Should I tell the JC I'm pregnant? Will they put me back on income support now?

BTW I'm a single mum WANTING to go back to work, but this has put acomplete spanner in the works.

Please help, I really don't know what to do for the best.

RazWaz

If the past problems are enough that you would have to sign off sick from work, then you might be able to claim ESA until the baby is born, but you should probably talk to a job centre advisor about your options.

I'd carry on claiming job seekers (and looking for work) until your health problems are bed enough for your GP to sign you off sick, then claim ESA.

thebarrattfamily

Ok thanks. At the risk of sounding stupid, what is ESA?

DeeMarie89

You do not have to declare your pregnancy to any potential employer, and once you have a job, you can't be fired for time off due to pregnancy related illness. This is what I did when I was pregnant, and my employers were great.

RazWaz

thebarrattfamily wrote: »

Ok thanks. At the risk of sounding stupid, what is ESA?

Employment Support Allowance, it's the replacement benefit for Incapacity benefit.

dmg24

How far gone are you?

thebarrattfamily

I'm only 14 weeks - I think. Having my dating scan on Friday. I just understand the protocol for it all

dmg24

thebarrattfamily wrote: »

I'm only 14 weeks - I think. Having my dating scan on Friday. I just understand the protocol for it all

You need to think about it this way - if you were currently working, would you be signed off sick for the next 26 weeks? If yes, you need to claim ESA. Otherwise, continue to claim JSA.

missmontana

When I was pregnant I had to continue with JSA till I was 29 weeks then they switched me over to Income Support.

hannah2011_2

thebarrattfamily wrote: »

Hi I wonder if someone could give me some advice please?

I've been on JSA for 6 weeks now, having come off Income Support which I have been on since last Novmber when I was made redundant.

I have just found out I'm pregnant, and really don't know what to do now? Obviously to claim JSA you have to be actively seeking a job - which I was - and was hoping to be in work, but now how can I actively be seeking a job when I'm pregnant?

I'm happy to go to work, but I am going to be at the hospital a lot due to past problems, and I can't see any employer taking on someone who is pregnant and is going to off a lot!

Everythng has gone pear shaped and I just don't know what to do next. Should I tell the JC I'm pregnant? Will they put me back on income support now?

BTW I'm a single mum WANTING to go back to work, but this has put acomplete spanner in the works.

Please help, I really don't know what to do for the best.

I was in the exact same situtation as you. I was made redundant and claiming ESA due to suffering from depression as I have also had past problems with pregnancies.
I found out I was pregnant 3 months after being made redundant.
Although you are pregnant you are still liable to look for work.
Even though not many employers want to employ a pregnant lady!
Iam currently 26 weeks pregnant and have had to sign on since I was 12 weeks pregnant. They have sent me out looking for jobs (which I willing to do) and every employer has taken 1 look at my big belly and gave the usual reply 'we will be in touch'
I am due to sign off JSA and go on to Income support in 3 weeks time when I hit 29 weeks.
In your situation you will not be able to go onto Icome support but will be able to go on to ESA providing you get notes from your doc/midwife saying that you have a high risk pregnancy and your are in no condition to work.
You need to inform the JC straight away that you are pregnant.