Depression and Benefits

Claire_MUFC

Hi everyone,

After coming on here a few weeks ago in embarassment about going back to my GP after stopping my anti-depressants last year without their knowledge, I finally took the plunge and made an appointment to go back. I am now back on blood pressure tablets as that was 169/90, and Sertraline for my depression. Not kicked in fully yet as still feeling extremely down

To my next worry , I claimed JSA up until February of last year when I finished the Work Programme and it was time to go back to the job centre, I signed off and tried to do a bit of work fo my dad, but he cannot afford to pay me and wants me to sign back on

The whole thing is just making my depression worse as I know there is now increased pressure to get people off JSA and into work, but there are quite a few jobs I would not be comfortable in doing. My doctor has recommended counselling as they have diagnosed me with social anxiety , this combined with depression is making it extremely hard to get a job. I would actually prefer to find something part time as I feel full time at the moment would be too much

I can't even tell the job centre about my health problems as apparently you are then not entitled to claim universal credit, which is what is in my area now

Looking for a bit of advice really

pmlindyloo

From what you say Universal credit is only for job seekers in your area at the moment.

So, if your doctor will give you a fit note then you need to apply for ESA.

See here:

https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/overview

You have taken the plunge to see your doctor and now you need to take the plunge and apply for some financial help.

Since your illness is now documented by the doctor you will have some evidence to give when you have to complete the ESA form. You can get help with this from CAB or a welfare advisor or from a support worker at a charity like MIND.

Don't be afraid of applying for ESA. There is help out there. You are unlikely to be called for an assessment for some months.

You can also do some Permitted work when on ESA. Google for more information.

There is nothing to stop you looking for a part time job yourself. It probably feels like a massive step to take if you are feeling unwell so why not google your local MIND centre and pay them a visit. Or do some voluntary work to get you back into the swing of things.

Once your medication kicks in then you may feel well enough to start some small steps to getting back into employment but claiming ESA will give you some breathing space.

sammyjammy

Once you are on Universal Credit you don't go back to legacy benefits. If you get a fitnote you will remain on Universal credit its just your claimant commitment will change and your need to sign at the Jobcentre, your UC will be made up of different elements.

What are your longer term plans? As someone with depression its rarely a solution to withdraw from people even further and find yourself getting in deeper and deeper.

Claire_MUFC

Hi,

Thanks for both of your comments, really appreciate all advice given on this forum.

Regarding my longer term plans, I would like to get a job eventually. Think something part time would be easier to cope with at first, as don't think I could cope with full time at the moment. Part of the battle is finding a job I would be comfortable doing, I tried retail and hated that, just wasn't suited to me.

People have recommended looking at getting on a college course working with children, as I have no problem with them, don't worry about being judged by them like I do adults. Did actually go to a primary school who did my CRB which has come back clear, poss phoning them back after New Year, to give a placement a try

I think I worry a lot about getting jobs and not being good at them, or doing something and making a fool of myself. Kind of linked to this social anxiety the doctor says I am experiencing.

Its all just very hard at the moment. Lots of people can't wait to claim benefits, I am absolutely terrified. I know I need to claim something to get some money coming in, dad has been helping me out, but says he cannot afford it from January. Going out tomorrow for NYE and not in.a celebrating mood at all, just feel like curling up in a ball and crying

TELLIT01

sammyjammy wrote: »

Once you are on Universal Credit you don't go back to legacy benefits. If you get a fitnote you will remain on Universal credit its just your claimant commitment will change and your need to sign at the Jobcentre, your UC will be made up of different elements.

That's not necessarily true at present, although it has always been the public belief that once on UC you stay on it. There are circumstances under which UC will be terminated and the claim will be made under ESA / IS rules. This varies from area to area so would require a discussion with the UC advisors at the local JC.
What is certainly true is that you cannot be left in a situation where you have an entitlement to benefit but can't claim.

sammyjammy

TELLIT01 wrote: »

That's not necessarily true at present, although it has always been the public belief that once on UC you stay on it. There are circumstances under which UC will be terminated and the claim will be made under ESA / IS rules. This varies from area to area so would require a discussion with the UC advisors at the local JC.
What is certainly true is that you cannot be left in a situation where you have an entitlement to benefit but can't claim.

Actually it is true, even if you move out of a UC area you remain on UC. We refer to it as the "lobster pot"

Claire_MUFC

What else would people recommend in my position, posted my longer term plans above

TELLIT01

Unfortunately somebody left the door in the lobster pot undone :-). There are situations, uncommon I grant you, where the Universal Credit claim is 'terminated'. That's the official term. It can only happen if somebody has gone a minimum of 6 'payment periods' without receiving any payment from UC. The claimant / customer / citizen has to request that the UC claim be terminated. This was confirmed to me by one of the UC coaches, after I had been told by somebody at another office about the lobster pot. It only came to light because a customer was being bounced from UC to other benefits and getting nowhere.
It is a fact, as I have actual experience of it happening, and fairly recently at that. The customer is now in receipt of a benefit other than UC having been in receipt of UC for a number of month prior.
Once UC rolls out nationally I suspect this escape route will be closed.

Claire_MUFC

Any other advice ?

tooties

Hi sorry i can't give any advice regarding benefits, however, i have battled depression myself for a long time so, i know how rocky your road towards better mental wellbeing will be, so i just popped on to wish you well.
Happy new year too

kindest regards

TELLIT01

Claire_MUFC wrote: »

Any other advice ?

If your GP will give you a medical certificate, now referred as 'Fit notes' (Certificate of fitness for work) then you should put in a claim for ESA as soon as possible. Information is taken over the phone.
If he won't give you a certificate your only route is JSA.

Just to repeat what I stated earlier in the topic. DWP staff cannot say that you cannot claim UC or another benefit just because of the current confusion around the UC rules. If you're sick it will be UC or ESA, if able to work it will be UC or JSA.