ESA turned down help

Nice_Girl

Can somebody please help? I suffer with mental health problems and was on old style Incapacity Benefit. I attended a medical and was turned down for ESA. I have completed a Mandatory Reconsideration Form, helped by a part-time overworked Mental Health Advocate. Then my benefit stopped. I am awaiting a decision before I can appeal. In the meantime I have been advised by Cit Advice and Benefits that IF(!) I want any benefits until the outcome of my appeal I have to apply for Jobseekers? and say I am available for work.

I don't leave the house very often due to severe depression and anxiety and just find this unbelievable as I am not capable at the moment of work.
In the past I have worked 3 jobs at once, so not afraid of hard work.

I am awaiting an appointment with a Psychiatrist as my depression has become much worse and my doctor needs a further opinion.

Please can anyone help.

pmlindyloo

Yes, you will need to apply for JSA.

Please try not to worry about this. You have, in theory, been found 'fit for work' so you are eligible for JSA.

Since the new rules came in about not being paid during the reconsideration phase then the Job Centres are fully aware that there will be people with 'problems' applying for JSA. They should be making allowances for this.

Apply for JSA online and then just go through the hoops until the results of the reconsideration come through and you can, hopefully, appeal and get back on ESA.

Just a couple of other points.

You can 'go sick' when on JSA so this may cover you if you find things too overwhelming. I will find a link about this.

And if you are receiving HB and/or council tax support please get in touch with them as thiese benefits may have stopped because of your ESA stopping.

Nice_Girl

Thank you for that info. I didn't know I could claim online.

I need to sign out now but will check in later.

This forum is amazing.

pmlindyloo

Here is a link about being sick on JSA and what you have to do.

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/113843/response/277832/attach/2/Claimants%20who%20may%20be%20treated%20as%20available%20and%20actively%20seeking%20employment.pdf

pmlindyloo

And - claiming online:

https://www.gov.uk/jobseekers-allowance/how-to-claim

help4help2013

if you have not heard anything within a few weeks get your local MP involved and ask them to contact the DWP on your behalf these reconsiderations are taking a long time at the moment sometimes months i know poplar who have waited over 12 months for a decision from this

pmlindyloo

help4help2013 wrote: »

if you have not heard anything within a few weeks get your local MP involved and ask them to contact the DWP on your behalf these reconsiderations are taking a long time at the moment sometimes months i know poplar who have waited over 12 months for a decision from this

I think you must be confused

Mandatory reconsiderations have only been in force since October 2013 making it impossible for anyone to have been waiting a year.

Perhaps you are thinking of appeals?

Mandatory considerations are only taking 2 weeks maximum in our part of the country.

Would be interesting to hear how long this is nationwide.