JSA & Distant Psychiatric Appointment

CurryQuest

Dear Forum Member,

I'm on JSA after returning from America, unable to work due to mental health issues.

I have finally managed to secure a psychiatric appointment but it is a month away. I'm trying to get through the month but I'm still obliged to search for jobs, which realistically I can't do.

I volunteer at a charity shop and I get things wrong, get confused and upset people. They are very kind to keep me on. This kindness extends to the Job Centre Plus, who have never sanctioned me.

A supportive relative has recommended I visit the doctors to get a medical certificate but my reading up has told me that I can't transfer from JSA to ESA, a benefit I don't really understand, and besides it seems that medical sickness certification has changed.

I can normally google the answer but I'm drawing a blank due to both depression and reduced mental capacity.

Can any offer any advice on the best course to tread?

paragon909

CurryQuest wrote: »

Dear Forum Member,

I'm on JSA after returning from America, unable to work due to mental health issues.

I have finally managed to secure a psychiatric appointment but it is a month away. I'm trying to get through the month but I'm still obliged to search for jobs, which realistically I can't do.

I volunteer at a charity shop and I get things wrong, get confused and upset people. They are very kind to keep me on. This kindness extends to the Job Centre Plus, who have never sanctioned me.

A supportive relative has recommended I visit the doctors to get a medical certificate but my reading up has told me that I can't transfer from JSA to ESA, a benefit I don't really understand, and besides it seems that medical sickness certification has changed.

I can normally google the answer but I'm drawing a blank due to both depression and reduced mental capacity.

Can any offer any advice on the best course to tread?

You can't transfer from benefit to benefit, To claim ESA you would need to close your JSA claim down and make an ESA claim the next working day. The first 7 days of ESA are self certified, To get a sick note from the GP, I guess you need to show that you actually need it or qualify .

Was it not a GP who referred you to see the psychiatrist?

CurryQuest

paragon909 wrote: »

You can't transfer from benefit to benefit, To claim ESA you would need to close your JSA claim down and make an ESA claim the next working day. The first 7 days of ESA are self certified, To get a sick note from the GP, I guess you need to show that you actually need it or qualify .

Was it not a GP who referred you to see the psychiatrist?

Thank you for your reply.

What threw me was an explicit statement that you cannot transfer from JSA to ESA on the gov.uk collection of random pages. There was no suggestion you could quit one to go to the other.

When I first arrived in the UK a GP gave me the best care she could, cutting down my meds from 4 to 1 and eventually redirecting me to Mind, who seem to have largely taken over psychiatric provision in Kent.

After the free 8 weeks of Mind care, in which people openly discussed the implications of being unable to see psychiatrists in a group (no access to official diagnosis), I managed to get a psychiatric referral but this estranged me from my doctor possibly because of government targets and internal NHS charges.

As far as I can tell sick notes have changed. They are now fit notes it seems. Again the details are elusive.

I don't think there is any established path for people who are unable to job search any more for mental health reasons, other than sanctions. I think people are instead meant to sort out the problem themselves, after their 8 weeks with Mind have expired and after sanctions prevent their access to food & accommodation.

paragon909

CurryQuest wrote: »

Thank you for your reply.

What threw me was an explicit statement that you cannot transfer from JSA to ESA on the gov.uk collection of random pages. There was no suggestion you could quit one to go to the other.

When I first arrived in the UK a GP gave me the best care she could, cutting down my meds from 4 to 1 and eventually redirecting me to Mind, who seem to have largely taken over psychiatric provision in Kent.

After the free 8 weeks of Mind care, in which people openly discussed the implications of being unable to see psychiatrists in a group (no access to official diagnosis), I managed to get a psychiatric referral but this estranged me from my doctor possibly because of government targets and internal NHS charges.

As far as I can tell sick notes have changed. They are now fit notes it seems. Again the details are elusive.

I don't think there is any established path for people who are unable to job search any more for mental health reasons, other than sanctions. I think people are instead meant to sort out the problem themselves, after their 8 weeks with Mind have expired and after sanctions prevent their access to food & accommodation.

I would go and visit your GP and discuss your mental health and ask them if you could get a sick note or "fit note" There basically just the same, Nothing has really changed.... If the GP gives you a sick note, Then you could claim ESA, It's probably best to see a GP first just encase you don't get one.

CurryQuest

paragon909 wrote: »

I would go and visit your GP and discuss your mental health and ask them if you could get a sick note or "fit note" There basically just the same, Nothing has really changed.... If the GP gives you a sick note, Then you could claim ESA, It's probably best to see a GP first just encase you don't get one.

I know nothing about fit notes but I'll see what can be done. Such a visit might require a double-length visit.

Topcat1982

CurryQuest wrote: »

Thank you for your reply.

What threw me was an explicit statement that you cannot transfer from JSA to ESA on the gov.uk collection of random pages. There was no suggestion you could quit one to go to the other.

When I first arrived in the UK a GP gave me the best care she could, cutting down my meds from 4 to 1 and eventually redirecting me to Mind, who seem to have largely taken over psychiatric provision in Kent.

After the free 8 weeks of Mind care, in which people openly discussed the implications of being unable to see psychiatrists in a group (no access to official diagnosis), I managed to get a psychiatric referral but this estranged me from my doctorpossibly because of government targets and internal NHS charges. What do mean by this?

As far as I can tell sick notes have changed. They are now fit notes it seems. Again the details are elusive.

I don't think there is any established path for people who are unable to job search any more for mental health reasons, yes there is. Close down your JSA claim and claim ESA other than sanctions. I think people are instead meant to sort out the problem themselves, after their 8 weeks with Mind have expired and after sanctions prevent their access to food & accommodation You will still claim housing benefit either way.

If you are still confused about this you could go to the CAB