Might need to claim JSA soon and I have a question

longforthesun

I'm thinking ahead here as there is a 90% chance that in the next two months I will be made redundant. With this in mind I am looking at changes we as a family will need to make etc.

I would only be elligable for contribution based JSA due to OH earning and I know this would be paid for 6 months then I would get nothing (though hopefully I will get another job in that time)

My main worry is I have fibromyalgia and while I manage this ok it is only because I work part time and use my time off work to rest.

My question is will the job centre force me to apply for full time jobs (i read you need to be available to work 40 hours)? If this was the case then I wouldn't claim as I am not able to work full time and I don't want to waste their time and mine.

Thanks for any replies.

princessdon

Full time according to the Job Centre is over 16 hours.

I don't think they can force you to apply for 40 hours a week, if they do then look at ESA - and "permitted work".

nannytone_2

if youre working part time now, are you sure that youve made sufficient contributions for JSA?

sniggings

a word of warning, they tend to listen to what you say and give the impression that your condition will be taken into account but in my short experience they forget all that within minutes and expect you to apply for any job and even jobs you can't do.

I would still apply though as you can tell them your limits and hope they agree if they do you can apply for the jobs you think you can do and any jobs they tell you to apply for that you think you are not suited for, just apply anyway and the chances are you wont get an interview and if you do, I'm sure you can make it know to the interviwer that maybe your not the best person for the job

The way the government has set up JSA is not to be helpful but to make us jump through hoops, not to help get a job but to make claiming JSA as unpleasant as possible, it's a game and if you remember that you may be OK.

longforthesun

I didn't think of that nannytone

I earn £14,500 for a 26 hour week, will need to check but have done this for almost 4 years.

Have never looked into ESA and I am not exactly sure what that is but will looked it up.

It is just all so complicated, have spent an hour reading different sites but none are clear enough to give me an answer. Suppose thats the government for you :rotfl:

Anyway I have started looking for other part time jobs so fingers crossed something comes up. Just like to be organised so that if the the worse comes to the worse I am clued up on what to do.

nannytone_2

based on what youve said, tour contributions should be fine.

to get ESA you need to be assessed as #unfit for any wor' and by what youve said, i think thats unlikely to happen

sniggings

nannytone wrote: »

based on what youve said, tour contributions should be fine.

to get ESA you need to be assessed as #unfit for any wor' and by what youve said, i think thats unlikely to happen

I agree, questions such as can you set an alarm clock, can you put a pen in your shirt pocket, can you lift a carton of milk, can you breath , ESA is NOT easy to get on.

But

In the first 13 weeks(about) before the medical, if you have a sick note saying you can't work then you could claim and get paid up to you have to go for a medical, which could give you 3 months or more money and time to look for a job, the rate is the same so it's not like you are claiming ESA because it's more money.

nannytone_2

and in the same time the OP could claim JSA and look for a job, without the stress that ESA involves.

and as the OP has stated that they are fit for part time work, then it isnt a given that their doctor would agree to a sicj note.

surelu doctors only issue socknotes to people that are unfit for their current job ( if employed) or unfit for amy work ( if applying for ESA)

petethesteam

Hi
I claimed JSA before having to claim ESA as I suffer from ME/CFS, Fibro, TN. I did this because my adviser advised me to do so in order to give me breathing space.
Before I did so, she gave me another option (as I didn't really want to not work), this was to get a medical certificate from the Dr stating that you should not work more than say 20 hours due to your condition and the management of it.
You should talk this over with your adviser at your first meeting?

Good luck!

sniggings

nannytone wrote: »

and in the same time the OP could claim JSA and look for a job, without the stress that ESA involves.

and as the OP has stated that they are fit for part time work, then it isnt a given that their doctor would agree to a sicj note.

surelu doctors only issue socknotes to people that are unfit for their current job ( if employed) or unfit for amy work ( if applying for ESA)

well being on ESA does not count you out from working as the government are about to sanction those it feels aren't trying hard enough and refuse voluntary work.

The ESA medical is not testing if someone can work or not, it is meant to but is failing badly at it, as long as you pass the test you can claim ESA, not being able to put a pen in your shirt pocket is enough in itself to get on ESA.

As said above, the questions are not suited for the purpose, setting alarm clocks etc

The problem is and why I suggest what I have is there is a chance and it does happen the ESA refuse benefit, send you to JSA and they too say you do not meet the terms of JSA so refuse you too.

The government has turned claiming benefits into a game, so to play along you have to play by their rules which means nodding politely and trying to fit into one of their boxes.

longforthesun

Thanks for all your replies they are very helpfull.

Just got to wait and see now as to what happens and if I need to start a claim at least i have a better understanding of it .