Quickest way I can get Housing Benefit need it ASAP!!

Barkingmad64

Hi there.

I recently went onto an apprenticeship and informed my local council about my change in circumstances as I used to be on JSA, I've literally only done a week on my Apprenticship an can no longer continue due to not passing the medical I had to do due to me taking Amitriptyline for my sleeping issues which is not allowed due to depression reasons behind it also, kinda sucks as it was only a week and was really enjoying it.

I made a rapid reclaim application online this morning, I just got home and found a letter by council saying my housing benefit has been stopped because I didn't fill in the income form they gave me when I told council my change in circumstances.

Landlord has already been on my case seeing as I was on direct payments towards him it was all nice an easy, but he's struggling to pay electric and mortgage on the house as it is and one of the other people in shared house is kinda being a fool and not paying sometimes as he's not on direct payments, and basically if the situation doesn't improve soon then everyone in house including me will get deployed a months notice to basically find somewhere else because the landlord will have to sell the house.

Is there any way possible that I can get my housing benefit back up asap? I obviously have no proof of JSA as I obvi only just made the rapid reclaim application this morning, so I don't know what to do and I don't want to suddenly wake up one day an get deployed notice because there's no way I'd find a place within a month and this has got me really worried

HappyMJ

You will still owe the rent for the period that you weren't being paid housing benefit. It takes time and housing benefit is paid in arrears. i.e at the end of the period the claim relates to so you won't get anything for at least 2 weeks anyway. Rent however is due in advance at the beginning of the month so you'll be in arrears.

Over what period are you in arrears are you with your landlord? A month? 2 months?

I think you'll need to finding yourself new accommodation sooner rather than later. You get a minimum of 2 months notice to leave a property assuming your LL does not live with you. You can save the HB payments you get to pay the rent in advance elsewhere then you'll have to come to an arrangement to pay the arrears off with your LL.

rogerblack

Barkingmad64 wrote: »

Hi there.

I recently went onto an apprenticeship and informed my local council about my change in circumstances as I used to be on JSA, I've literally only done a week on my Apprenticship an can no longer continue due to not passing the medical I had to do due to me taking Amitriptyline for my sleeping issues which is not allowed due to depression reasons behind it also, kinda sucks as it was only a week and was really enjoying it

What was the apprenticeship for?
It is possible this behaviour by the employer may not be legal, as it is discrimination against someone on the grounds of a disability.

Do the patient notes with your medication, or your doctor, advise not doing specific types of work?

Barkingmad64

I don't know anything about length of arrears as such, I'm on direct payments to landlord as stated so it all goes directly to him an I don't have no statements etc stating when/if he gets this, i just got the letter today so I'm assuming arrears will be less than 1month?

Also how am I suppose to go about finding a place, I moved in 17th June (4months ago really) and I haven't lived here for a total of 6 months and I know that it's basically a damn hard rule to get around (stupid rule if you ask me) and I also as have stated have no money coming in now as I only just applied for JSA like this morning today so could even be a while before I even start receiving that. And yes he does live with me as well

It was Railway engineering apprenticeship and basically I'm on tablets for depression, although no official diagnosis that's what they are for and it is rules for the railway that they cannot take Someon on that has depression or a history of it within last 4 years.

I just want as much info as possible in case he does deploy notice to everyone to leave basically.

rogerblack

Barkingmad64 wrote: »

It was Railway engineering apprenticeship and basically I'm on tablets for depression, although no official diagnosis that's what they are for and it is rules for the railway that they cannot take Someon on that has depression or a history of it within last 4 years.

I would find it extraordinarily interesting how they square this with the equalities act.

This would not usually be legal unless in the most extreme cases where it would certainly lead to you being unable to do the job in question.
A broad policy 'we don't employ people with depression in any role' is most certainly discrimination.

kittykat17

Amitryptline (not sure of spelling) can and does make people drowsy. This could be the reason that the OP was let go and not the actual depression. I take two at night and it can take up to midday for me to function properly. There is a warning not to use machinery or drive if the meds make you drowsy.

sangie595

kittykat17 wrote: »

Amitryptline (not sure of spelling) can and does make people drowsy. This could be the reason that the OP was let go and not the actual depression. I take two at night and it can take up to midday for me to function properly. There is a warning not to use machinery or drive if the meds make you drowsy.

I agree, I have to take it for neuropathic pain, I am well under the dosage used for depression, and I didn't have any sleeping problems until I took it. Now I have sleeping problems as in I can't wake up! It would be a dangerous drug to take in certain occupations; and depression would be equally risky in such occupations. One mistake due to side effects of drugs or depression could be the cause of a major incident in transport. I doubt that the rule applies to all employees - but railway engineers, train drivers and even train conductors (who are trained for emergencies, including problems with the driver when they might have to take over) are at the coalface of transport safety.

dippy3103

I also take it for nerve pain. I take 25mg which is a low dose, so if the o/p is on a higher dose & operating machinery then there may be h&s issues.

stevemLS

dippy3103 wrote: »

I also take it for nerve pain. I take 25mg which is a low dose, so if the o/p is on a higher dose & operating machinery then there may be h&s issues.

Similarly I have diabetes and there are certain jobs which are just not open to me due to the risk of hypos.

rogerblack

A simple blanket refusal before consideration is likely illegal.
It is legal only if there are no reasonable adjustments that could be made for the person, without affecting the job so much as to mean they couldn't do it.

If it actually does make OP drowsy, and the job is going to involve heavy machinery, only if there is no way round that to the point that no reasonable workarounds are possible would the employer be able to discriminate.

The test is very much not 'can do the job with no adjustments or we can discriminate against you'.

NYM

Employment to work on the railway infrastructure is subject to passing a medical examination and alcohol & drugs screening (a legal requirement to work on the railways).

Network Rail Apprenticeship

General health
These are outdoor roles that require a good level of physical fitness. We also have very rigorous safety standards for people who work on or near the track. We need to know if you have a medical condition or are taking medication that may cause any of the following:

• sudden loss of consciousness
• wareness or concentration
• sudden incapacity
• temporary loss of vision or coordination and balance
• immobility

If you have a known medical condition we’ll carry out a risk assessment so that we can, where possible, find a safe system of work for you.


Medical examination
If you are offered a place on the apprenticeship scheme, you’ll have a full medical exam, including sight and hearing checks. We’ll also ask your doctor for information on any existing medical condition, such as diabetes, or any medications you’re being prescribed. As this is such a physically demanding job, it’s really important that you pass the medical examination, for the health and safety not only of you, but for those around you. So, unfortunately those who don’t pass won’t be able to take part in the apprenticeship.

If you fail to disclose anything at this stage, we’ll have to withdraw any offer we make. If you have any questions about your health in relation to the scheme, please email advanced@networkrail.co.uk and include a telephone number so that we can call you back.