Entitlement clarification, please

skintandscared_2

Hi,

Would someone please tell me what a person who has no income whatsover is entitled to?

This person is 29, has no job, no home, no financial assistance from anywhere. Was on ESA but after a year has been taken off it.

They are trying to tell me they now get nothing whatsoever and effectively will have to steal to live.

Surely someone in this position is entitled to income-based JSA and a shared rate of housing benefit at the very least? Would someone please clarify what a person in this situation should be receiving.

Many thanks

Caz3121

They are only entitled to JSA is they are looking for work
They can make a claim housing benefit at shared rate assuming that they are in Private rental accommodation with a valid tenancy agreement (they can claim this whatever they are receiving JSA or not)

skintandscared_2

OK, thanks. He probably isn't officially looking for work because (a) he deems himself too unfit to work and (b) he doesn't think anyone will employ him because of previous convictions/jail. Unfortunately for him the authorities don't agree he's ill, hence stopping ESA. I believe he sofa-surfs whoever will let him sleep in their lounge.

So if he can sign on, show he is job-searching (even if fruitless) and can provide a tenancy agreement from someone who will let him live in their house, he COULD get JSA and housing benefit...

nannytone_2

if he feels that he is too unwell for work, and his doctor will give him a sicknote, there is no reason why he cant try to claim ESA again

FBaby

He doesn't need to have a job, he needs to be doing everything the job centre deems appropriate efforts to look for one. He has nothing to lose looking and trying his best. The fact that despite all this he might not get a job is not what would stop him getting JSA and of course, he might be surprise that he can cope better than he thought or that someone might be willing to give him a chance. In any case, better that stealing and ending up with another conviction.

HB58

Was his ESA stopped because he failed an assessment or because he had come to the end of the 365 contributory WRAG ESA? If the latter, he should be paid income-related ESA as soon as he has completed an ESA3 which gives details of his finances (or lack thereof).

xylophone

http://www.princes-trust.org.uk/need_help/your_next_steps_in_the_uk/ex-offender_support_services.aspx

skintandscared_2

HB58 wrote: »

Was his ESA stopped because he failed an assessment or because he had come to the end of the 365 contributory WRAG ESA? If the latter, he should be paid income-related ESA as soon as he has completed an ESA3 which gives details of his finances (or lack thereof).

I think he'd come to the end of the year's ESA (he's never contributed a penny of anything to anyone) and his GP refused to do any more sicknotes. His problems are mental health and drug related.

skintandscared_2

xylophone wrote: »

http://www.princes-trust.org.uk/need_help/your_next_steps_in_the_uk/ex-offender_support_services.aspx

Thank you - very helpful. I've sent him that link.

Torry_Quine

skintandscared wrote: »

I think he'd come to the end of the year's ESA (he's never contributed a penny of anything to anyone) and his GP refused to do any more sicknotes. His problems are mental health and drug related.

It sounds like his GP doesn't agree that he is unable to work then.

Had he been assessed as to which group of ESA he was entitled to as when that happens you no longer need to send in fit-notes. Income based ESA has no time limit so not sure where the year comes from.

ArtoDeeto

skintandscared wrote: »

Hi,
Surely someone in this position is entitled to income-based JSA and a shared rate of housing benefit at the very least?

ONLY if he is prepared to find a job, if he is too ill he should be on ESA.