Jobcentre Stress

busy_mom_2

A_Couple_In_Love wrote: »

No problem finding work, as in no problem looking for work. In other words, I don't have the attitude that I don't want to work.

I wasnt implying you didnt want to work, I was just trying to suggest that as you stated JCP was causing the stress the quicker you get back to work the less dealings you will have with JCP.

Just because you claim ESA doesnt mean you should stop looking for work becuase the longer you are away from the work place the harder it becomes, if you then subsequently go back to JSA you may well find it more stressful than now.

I hope you feel better soon.

KxMx

If you pass the medical, you could be placed into the ESA Work Related Activity Group.

This means attending JCP for Work Focused Interviews. You may be referred to an external Work Program. Even the JCP WFI's these days are very tough for ESA claimants. Some get left alone but others (like me) have very pushy and aggressive advisors!

The rules recently changed for ESA WFI's (or in other words the Gov are not getting the numbers off and into work that they would like) so i've just had frequency of attendance increased to monthly- my advisor says the guidelines are once a fortnight and they must be more work focused.

For example in the past I was asked to do a CV then left for a few months. Now i've been told to look into part time work "before you are forced into it" even though my health is not there yet and even though I have a year left before re-assessment.

Flattering my advisor has labelled me as very employable and this is overriding I feel what work activity I am being told to do.

I am certainly getting alot of stress from JCP!

A_Couple_In_Love

KxMx wrote: »

If you pass the medical, you could be placed into the ESA Work Related Activity Group.

And the medical is after 13 weeks?

I have only been given a sick note for 2 weeks, and I have to go back and see my doctor after that, so I'm not quite sure how long I will get.

I'm totally unsure what I need to do from here, I'm presuming I still attend sign ons every fortnight friday as usual, I am next due to sign on the 22nd August.

I also have work experience coming up this Thursday, I am presuming I do not need to attend, but how can I be sure as I do not want to get my money stopped?

KxMx

It's supposed to be after 13 weeks, yes.
ATOS are in somewhat of a meltdown at the moment, and even before that not everyone got a medical at 13 weeks.
It's anyone's guess i'm afraid when you would be called.

Indie_Kid

You don't attend the job centre or indeed sign on whilst in the assessment phase of ESA. That is, when you're sending in sick notes.

A_Couple_In_Love

Indie_Kid wrote: »

You don't attend the job centre or indeed sign on whilst in the assessment phase of ESA. That is, when you're sending in sick notes.

Thanks. What about my work experience on Thursday? I don't want them stopping my money if I don't attend. At this stage, I have not even sent the sick note off, I have only informed them and sending the letter of tomorrow.

missbiggles1

A_Couple_In_Love wrote: »

Thanks. What about my work experience on Thursday? I don't want them stopping my money if I don't attend. At this stage, I have not even sent the sick note off, I have only informed them and sending the letter of tomorrow.

I'm not sure when your last payment of JSA will be but naturally it'll stop quickly as you've now ended your claim. I'm sure others will be able to advise you how long you'll have to wait for any money when making a new claim for ESA - hopefully it won't be too long.

Indie_Kid

missbiggles1 wrote: »

I'm not sure when your last payment of JSA will be but naturally it'll stop quickly as you've now ended your claim. I'm sure others will be able to advise you how long you'll have to wait for any money when making a new claim for ESA - hopefully it won't be too long.

From experience, the last JSA payment will only take a few days or so.

missbiggles1

Indie_Kid wrote: »

From experience, the last JSA payment will only take a few days or so.

Thanks - not so, I suspect, for the first ESA payment.

A_Couple_In_Love

So now that I have contacted the main job centre office and informed them about me moving from JSA to ESA, I have been told to send the sick letter off.

When am I claiming ESA from, now, or when they get the letter? I have work experience coming up Thursday and I'm unsure if I need to go or not.