Switching from incapacity benefit to jobseekers allowance?

Bigmoney2

boggledmind wrote: »

I was under the impression that there was a disability advisor at the job centre, is it not as simple as me dealing with them rather than the general advisors?

I understand there is going to be alot of stress with this but none more than the medical assesment that I am due to attend with Attos Healthcare which by all accounts is a rather dehumanising process.

With regards to staying on IB whilst looking for employment, that's all very well but my CV has a 8 year blank on it, I think finding work is going to require alot of assistance in my case.

At my JSA interview will they outline what I can and can't do?

The issue of blanks on CV's is often mentioned, but this will only be an issue if you write a chronological CV. A Functional CV focussing on skills and competancies will gat round this.

1) Chronological
In most cases, a chronological CV is benefited by a summary of qualifications that quickly shows relevant skills to an employer.

2) Functional
The functional format presents qualifications that support your current employment objective by focusing on your skills and experiences without showing your work history.

3) Combination
The combination format combines the features of the chronological and the functional formats. It allows you to focus more thoroughly on your marketable skills and qualifications first and foremost before presenting your employment history.

skater_kat

google 'supported employment' there should be a scheme in your area. especially for people with MH issues.

Muttleythefrog

boggledmind wrote: »

Thanks for the insightful reply. I have been on IB for 8 years now so no further doctors note would be required but I am due for a medical assesment with Attos Healthcare later this month which i guess hurried me into my decision as I have heard some not so great things about them and wanted to take some control back.

I wonder if when I discuss all this at my JSA interview they themselves may actually suggest me going on ESA. Also if i go on JSA but find it is not working for me if it will be possible to switch to ESA as easily as that.

The ATOS medical is a bit of a hit and miss affair... and for mental health problems probably even more so.. I didn't enjoy mine one bit but I got the right result...somehow..lol. You can seriously impact the Work Cap. Assessment (WCA) of which the medical is part by getting any supporting medical information you can into the process. If you've already returned your ESA50 form (assuming you had one sent) then you could take such evidence to the medical and they should read it, take copy and use it if appropriate. It's also worth noting you're coming from IB so there may already be some medical evidence available to the Decision maker at the DWP (and indeed the healthcare prof. doing medical). So you've a decent chance probably of getting onto main phase of ESA without need for appeal.

As I think someone above advised... and I'm not expert... there are transitional protections in place regarding your income upon transfer onto ESA (assuming you are successful) and if you effectively drop out of that process I assume you'll lose that protection. You may find you have to go onto the assessment phase of ESA like a new applicant if you were to later decide JSA wasn't right. I don't often give strong direction to people as their circumstances can be complex and factors can be hidden from view... but unless you would have a breakdown caused by the face to face medical I can't imagine the other course of action can be anything other than a worse option.

Plenty around these threads can advise on the actual face to face medical... what they'll look for... what can go wrong. And what you can do when it does go wrong.

Good Luck!

boggledmind

Thanks for all the replies, most helpful. I have my JSA interview in less than a hour and a surge of panic is overcoming me. I have in many ways been disconnected from the world for some time now and my fears of scrutiny are coming back.

I guess I will just have to see what they say today and then decide from there.

mazroy

did anything come of this boggle?

Ive just been informed that I am to be moved from Incap benefit which Ive been on for nearly 10 years and straight on to JSA. I had a medical assesment about 2 months ago and to be honest the physical psrt of it was a joke. I have arthritis in by neck back and knees and gave up a very good well paying painting and decorating business because I couldnt physically do the job....nothings changed in those 10 years apart from me having more medical issues to deal with. I have 3 weeks before before im dumped on JSA and feel physically sick at the thought of it.

tatonette

just realised this is an old thread