How to change from JSA to ESA?

babygirll

Hi, im wondering if someone could help me with how to go about doing this.
I am currently on JSA but i'm having trouble leaving the house and my agoraphobia/depression is slowly coming back. My advisor says themselves i should be on ESA instead because of this.

I am due to sign on tomorrow but am wondering if i claim esa after i sign will my payment still go through after closing my claim?
Also i am claiming housing benefit and i'm wondering if i will be in debt with my rent if i stop my JSA claim.

Any help about this kind of thing would be helpful as i have never done it before. Thankyou.

JaneDoeJohnDoe

babygirll wrote: »

Hi, im wondering if someone could help me with how to go about doing this.
I am currently on JSA but i'm having trouble leaving the house and my agoraphobia/depression is slowly coming back. My advisor says themselves i should be on ESA instead because of this.

I am due to sign on tomorrow but am wondering if i claim esa after i sign will my payment still go through after closing my claim?
Also i am claiming housing benefit and i'm wondering if i will be in debt with my rent if i stop my JSA claim.

Any help about this kind of thing would be helpful as i have never done it before. Thankyou.

To claim ESA you will in the first instance need a doc's fit/sick note dated from date you wish to claim ESA, which will have to be sent in with your claim for ESA. When you close your JSA claim when you sign on you need to make the claimant coach/adviser fully aware that you are closing JSA claim as you are going to claim ESA. Not sure if you can actually claim ESA when JSA active - may cause a few admin issues at JCP. Any monies owing at date of JCP claim closure will be paid so long as you have completed usual job search/claimant commitment items etc. ESA can be started from next day but make the ESA phone adviser aware that you were on JSA & now have GP's sick/fit note. However, regarding HB, as JSA closing you will be best place to inform the local council as to what you are doing & the landlord too if rent debt could occur albeit temporarily until esa dates match with jsa dates. It should not but some councils are a little lax when notified of a claimant's JSA switching to ESA.

Don't worry, it sounds worse than it is. Keep a note of exactly when & what you do & who you speak too just in case of any !!!!-ups though! :eek:

jobseeking_help

babygirll wrote: »

Hi, im wondering if someone could help me with how to go about doing this.
I am currently on JSA but i'm having trouble leaving the house and my agoraphobia/depression is slowly coming back. My advisor says themselves i should be on ESA instead because of this.

I am due to sign on tomorrow but am wondering if i claim esa after i sign will my payment still go through after closing my claim?
Also i am claiming housing benefit and i'm wondering if i will be in debt with my rent if i stop my JSA claim.

Any help about this kind of thing would be helpful as i have never done it before. Thankyou.

Babygirll

yes, sign on tomorrow. At the meeting inform your adviser that you wish to cease claiming JSA and to claim ESA.

You can then either phone up for a new claim for ESA ( ask for the 0800 freephone number ) or you can go on-line to the www.gov.uk site.

Commence claiming ESA immediately after siging on for JSA as this will then give the Benefit Centre as long as possible to build your ESA claim - can take 2 weeks.

You do not need a fit note before claiming but if not then you do have to be sure your GP will sign you off. And you have to be signed off for MORE THAN 2 weeks. If you are only signed off for 14 days or less then it may well be deided that you couldhave remained on JSA and this will then mess-up your ESA claim. You will be instructed when and how to provide the fit note

All the best