Been told to change from ESA to JSA?

gerimc

Hi

Just been to the jobcentre and had a hard time, they are saying I must change from ESA now to JSA because I said I still want to go back to work. What is the difference and how will this affect me? The girl at the JC was not very helpful.

Thanks in advance
xx

pmlindyloo

gerimc wrote: »

Hi

Just been to the jobcentre and had a hard time, they are saying I must change from ESA now to JSA because I said I still want to go back to work. What is the difference and how will this affect me? The girl at the JC was not very helpful.

Thanks in advance
xx

Need a bit more information please

How long have you been on ESA? Which group? Contribution based/income based?

Are you fit to go back to work? What does your doctor say?

nannytone_2

if you still meet the criteria for ESA then you should still remain on ESA.
the job centre staff have no authority to tell you to transfer to JSA.

you get slightly more money on ESA, and dont have to fulfill the requirements of a jpb seekers agreement.
you are allowed to look for work whilst on ESA, but no pressure can be applied to force you to apply for unsuitable work

gerimc

Hi,
Doctor says I am not fit to go back to work yet, I have a crumbling spine and fibromyalgia. Yet the girl at the JC said she was told that I was seen without my walking stick and I denied this. I even offered to lift up my dress and show her my recent large scars on my spine where I have had metal put in. I have more spinal surgery to have done. She then told me to go onto JSA. My ESA is contribution based and have been on it for 2 years now. OH has just lost his job and initially I was told to put him on my ESA claim which I did. He was told to go onto JSA because he is not sick. What do I do as I am going nuts here worrying. He is 63 and cannot find a job anywhere because of his age.
xxx

pmlindyloo

If you have been on ESA contribution based for 2 years then it sounds as if you are in the Support Group. Is this correct?

Why were you at the Job Centre? Were you asked to go or what?

gerimc

Was sent a letter to attend a meeting, went and was told that I did not register the fact OH was recieving a personal pension for £35 p/m and I had not declared it. I had completely forgotten about it, I apologised and they will deal with it. Yes it must be the support group.

gerimc

I need to add, that OH has had his kidney and prostate removed due to cancer and has got very high blood pressure, so surely that would entitle him to ESA as well?

pmlindyloo

Your husband is probably entitled to Pension Credit.

You can check here:

https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit/overview

You could go onto his claim and not claim ESA any more.

(I am presuming you have no savings/other income.)

Or you could stay on your contribution based ESA and your husband go onto Pension Credit. Your husband's private pension will be taken into account.

You can try out the different scenarios here:
http://www.turn2us.org.uk/benefits_search.aspx

to see which way will give you more money.

or, you could go to CAB and they will do a better off calculation for you.


Ignore the comment from the girl at the Job Centre.

killerkev

I was on IB from 2002 and was medically retired and put on a pension in 2005 as it was assessed as I would never be fit for work. IB reduced by 75% (fair enough) and have just been told I don't qualify for ESA.
Job center have said I don't qualify for JSA as my wife earns a good wage and in any case I am not fit for work !!!!
So they have just cut my income by £25 a week and said tough
The whole ESA system stinks!!!!!

pmlindyloo

killerkev wrote: »

I was on IB from 2002 and was medically retired and put on a pension in 2005 as it was assessed as I would never be fit for work. IB reduced by 75% (fair enough) and have just been told I don't qualify for ESA.
Job center have said I don't qualify for JSA as my wife earns a good wage and in any case I am not fit for work !!!!
So they have just cut my income by £25 a week and said tough
The whole ESA system stinks!!!!!

Why have they said you don't qualify for contribution based ESA?

If you transferred from IB to ESA then you should be entitled to contribution based ESA,

Have you attended a medical and been found fit for work? Did you appeal?

killerkev

pmlindyloo wrote: »

Why have they said you don't qualify for contribution based ESA?

If you transferred from IB to ESA then you should be entitled to contribution based ESA,

Have you attended a medical and been found fit for work? Did you appeal?

Hi, yes I have been for a medical and despite having 15 points from previous assessments as i have trouble sitting cannot bend much, lift, am in pain 24 hours a day at the latest medical I received 0 points and told I would not be transferred to ESA and to contact the Job center which said I cannot get JSA as I am not fit for work (work that one out!!!)
I believe my pension income and my wife's income and taken into consideration for JSA