Advice pls - on JSA but have health issues

ginstar

I hope someone out there can give me some advice.

I was recently made redundant from a very nice 30k job and had to go through the horrific trauma of filling out forms to enable me to claim Contribution based job seekers - mainly to allow my mortgage insurance to start. I have a couple of concerns which I would appreciate some advice on as the job centre/social security offices seemingly apply the same stigma to everyone who walks through the door and are not very free with information!!!.

I had a back operation last year as a result of a slipped disk (this op did not correct the disk but stopped vital nerve damage) so I still suffer on a daily basis - I am unable to walk very far, sit for long, stand for long etc etc and am on daily pain killers/anti infl. On top of that the doctor has labelled me (for approx 2 years) as clinically depressed and I have and am still on anti-depressants.

Should I be on JSA or claiming Incapacity/DLA - I have absolutely no idea which is the best route to take and, indeed, which will have less impact on me getting a job in the future. Am currently getting the whopping £57 a week and £60 per month child credit (am single parent) so any advice/suggestions would be appreciated. Many Thanks

seven-day-weekend

If the Doctor signs you off as too ill to work, you could claim Incapacity Benefit and try for DLA.

Are you applying for Housing and/or Council Tax Benefit?

demonicangel

If you are a single parent and on JSA, your child tax credit seems too low, its normally around £40 for one child a week.

ukdickie31

Hi

You will probably find Incap the better benefit as this would give you choices....the choice to look for work when you are ready to. If you are on JSA, you HAVE to look for work.

On Incap, you can choose to return to work and if you use the specialist Incap adviser within the Jobcentre, you will get earlier access to support and financial incentives.... from Day 1 of you asking for the help !! Sometimes this support is outsourced to private organisations, but the support is there if you want it. In the area where I live, the outsourced support is excellent and the Incap clients wiching to use it all give very positive feedback.

JSA on the other hand may mean you waiting for up to 18 months to automatically qualify for this support. It's all to do with 'priority groups.'

An Incap client wishing to return to work is priority group 1, a Jobseeker is priority group 3. If you have a disability marker on your JSA claim, you are prority group 2.

I could go on for ages, but bottom line... Incap gives you choices, JSA doesn't !!!


Finally, check the small print on the insurance.. do you have to be looking for work to claim the mortgage costs. if you do, methinks you have to claim JSA !!

ginstar

Thank you ukdickie31.

The insurance I have basically covers sickness or compulsary redundancy (which I did get). Unsure what the situation would be if I moved from JSA to sickness. IN relation to the tax credit I get, it was worked out on the amount of income I had before I was made reduntant and they "assume" that you will save a portion of your money (evrey month) for a rainy day. They have advised me that I should reapply in the new tax year and the amount should rise. IT IS A NIGHTMARE!!!!!.

Also, not entitled to Housing as I own my own property and currently have a claim going through for council tax benefit.

Would I qualify for IB with the "issues" I have?
Would I qualify for DLA with the "issues" I have?

It really is all mind numbing!!!

One thing I have learned from all of this that it is very apparent that if you have never worked, the "system" will throw money at you. Whereas if you have worked for years (15 years to date), you constantly hit obstacles and are entitled to less.

ukdickie31

Sorry, I don't know the IB / DLA answers.

When you next go to the JC, ask to speak to the Disability Employment Adviser (DEA) or Incapacity Benefit Personal Adviser (IBPA) to see if they can 'caseload' you.

Hope this helps.

ginstar

Thank you again - they have arranged for me to see a "DEA" next time I sign on. Keep your fingers crossed!!!