Switching from ESA to JSA

cheghead

I hope to be ready to look for work at the end of month.

I am on ESA and need advice what I have to do to switch to JSA?

Both are contribution based. (Unlikely I'll get anything if/when it's income based).

Will I have to submit a whole new claim for JSA?
Been on ESA for 3 months so will JSA only last for a further 3 months?

rogerblack

You are able to seek work on ESA, and should do so if your condition continues to entitle you to ESA, but you feel you can do work.

(Being able to do work is not the test for ESA).

This will mean you may be entitled to back to work benefits if you go from ESA directly into work, and have been claiming ESA for a long time.

Otherwise, you do need to submit a whole new claim, yes.
As far as I'm aware, you would get 6 months JSA, if you have appropriate contributions in 2009/10 and 10/11.

cheghead

<Otherwise, you do need to submit a whole new claim, yes.
As far as I'm aware, you would get 6 months JSA, if you have appropriate contributions in 2009/10 and 10/11.>

So if I am signed back on to work at end of this month I would come off contribution ESA and have to make a whole new claim for contrbution based JSA?

Would that mean the JSA would continue for another 6 months from claim date?

Horseunderwater

cheghead wrote: »

I hope to be ready to look for work at the end of month.

I am on ESA and need advice what I have to do to switch to JSA?

Both are contribution based. (Unlikely I'll get anything if/when it's income based).

Will I have to submit a whole new claim for JSA?
Been on ESA for 3 months so will JSA only last for a further 3 months?

Your ESA is I assume still in the assessment phase at £71/ week? I would as Roger states keep on the ESA as that is by far the simpler way. Money is same and it means that you do not have to go and physically sign on every 14 days too. If you feel better and have recovered enough to seek work - go for it. You should by now know your prognosis and what you can or cannot do. And if it all takes time and you do get to the medical stage with ATOS, which can be quite a while in some areas, it should still give you time to go seek a job. You can always move over if they fail you on the medical at that point.
Good luck with hunting down a new job.

Muttleythefrog

Agree with above... why not just stick with ESA while you can and seek work on your terms until you get a job. If you fail the WCA of ESA then perhaps look at switching as opposed to appealing.

cheghead

So I can remain on esa as long as I have a doctors note or until assessed is that right?

I don't want to rush back into a job and will only be after part-time hours. I have recently applied for a few jobs and hopefully I can get the job I am looking for fairly soon?

epitome

As long as you can continue to get Doctors notes you can stay on ESA...until you are assessed. At which point they will probably say you are fit for work.

So you then have a choice, claim JSA or Appeal ESA (within 1 month) and continue to supply sicknotes to get paid the same rate (71pw) on ESA appeal,,,, which can take up to a year. but you will only get ESA payments for 365 days from the start of your claim.

Claiming JSA usually means looking for F/T work unless your JSA advisor gives you an exception to look for P/T work due to having sick notes. Claiming JSA with sick notes is not straight forward (they can refuse you) - your better off staying on ESA for as long as possible.

If you lose your appeal you can claim ESA again.

You can re claim ESA after the 365 days too, so you get paid again but you have to wait 13 weeks before doing so (slightly complicated thing to do)

tygr

Just be aware the tax years for contributions based benefits change in January so make sure you're still entitled to benefits before deciding what to do.

I'm in a situation where I'm on ESA now but know I'll fail a medical and won't be entitled to contributions based benefits come the tax year change. I'm switching to JSA before the end of december to get my 6 months up and running.

cheghead

tygr wrote: »

Just be aware the tax years for contributions based benefits change in January so make sure you're still entitled to benefits before deciding what to do.

I'm in a situation where I'm on ESA now but know I'll fail a medical and won't be entitled to contributions based benefits come the tax year change. I'm switching to JSA before the end of december to get my 6 months up and running.

In what way does the tax year change in January?

I was in full time employment for 5 1/2 years continuous before losing job and then claiming ESA in September 2012. So will this affect changing to JSA in anyway?