ESA or CB-JSA?

outgoingzero

Hi All

I’d like some advice on claiming either ESA or CB-JSA – I’ve never claimed any benefits before (aside from single person council tax discount) and don’t really know which to claim.

Just to briefly summarise my situation:

Worked for 15 years or so in IT but was made redundant last September. Last 4 years or so of employment was physically difficult as I developed problems with my eyes which caused pain, light sensitivity, strain etc and placed limits on what I could do and how long for. In the end I was working every other day from home and managing, but probably only because my workload was very light. I’ve seen a lot of eye doctors over the 4 years including going private and to Moorfields in London, but despite finding an autoimmune condition, thyroid issue etc and trying a lot of things the only thing that’s made much difference is wearing goggles which seal the air around my eyes.

Since being made redundant I’ve been at home and have been trying to recuperate, although I’m still struggling and if I overdo things in the eye department the next day is pretty much sitting in the dark listening to an audio book. Other days are better and I can brave a trip to the supermarket, go for a walk or even watch a film (at home not the cinema). I have to try to keep things in balance and know my limits.

I haven’t yet tried to claim any benefits as I’ve paid too much tax this FY and am content to frugally live on savings (£18K) until April and claim tax back without it being reduced by income from benefits (even though I may have been better off financially to claim straight away). In April though I’ll need to start getting some income though I’m not really sure what type of benefit or what job I can consistently do.

Family have encouraged be to try to claim some sort of disability benefit which I understand would now be ESA. Having read about these tests I think I'd find the whole thing pretty stressful and doubt I’d get the needed 15 points as aside from the dark goggle type glasses I have strapped to my head I look pretty much OK – even my eyes only show subtle signs of problems to look at. If I claim CB-JSA that’s problematic as I know in my heart most jobs I simply wouldn’t cope with – offices, shops etc are too bright and low in relative humidity and can’t use screens all day whilst the outside is often too windy and I have variable joint problems hampering prolonged physical work.

I might be capable of some work – particularly part time and not too far from the town I live in if the environment and nature of it is within my capabilities. I’m just not really sure what that is


Should I try and claim ESA? Even assuming I fail the test(s) would this have an impact on the sort of jobs I’d be expected to go for under JSA? Plus I’d have to attend job interviews in dark goggle sunglasses – somewhat awkward.

Thanks for any constructive advice.

rogerblack

It does seem likely you could claim JSA.
If you are available for, and seeking work of over 16 hours.
Employers are expected to make 'reasonable adjustments' - and in some cases it seems likely this would apply.
ESA may well be more problematic.

Eye problems - even total blindness - will not alone lead to ESA.
The joint problems would have to be at a level you cannot for example pick up a 0.5l container of liquid, or walk 50m several times throughout the working day.

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/m-06-11.pdf - these are a list of the descriptors that you have to match in order to be granted ESA.

outgoingzero

Thanks for this reply.

Does anyone have an alternative view?

In particular, would I be better off going through the claims process for ESA as this may define my limitations when on JSA? Or do I simply claim JSA and in some way explain what I can and can't do?

rogerblack

The ESA process will not really define your disabilities at all.
What will almost certainly happen is that you'll get 0 points on the assessment, and be back where you are now.
There is no assessment other than a 40 minute or so evaluation by a 'health care professional', who is trying to work out (indirectly) if you fit into one or more of 80 or so different boxes.
They do not work out other than this any problems you might have working.

Study the above descriptors, can consider if you can make a reasonable case that you meet enough of them to gain 15 points.
If not, ESA is at best a stressful delaying tactic.

If light levels are the main issue, I would suggest that wraparound sunglasses of some form, perhaps even contacts may be appropriate.
It should be possible to get the requirement to allow you to wear these placed in your jobseekers agreement, so you can't be sanctioned if an employer refuses to offer you a job because of this.