Leaving job for medical reasons and JSA

Krate

Hello all

I'm looking for some advice. I am wondering what happens to my eligibility for JSA if I leave my job for medical reasons.

To make a long story short, I am currently off work due to bereavement. Several months ago a close family member died (suicide). Immediately after I had some time off. When I tried to go back to work I struggled, as I have been struggling with bad depression and insomnia. It got to the stage where I was feeling suicidal myself and so had to step back and take more time off.

I have had a good think about it, and I think I need to change job, as I think it has been fueling a lot of these problems. I was already unhappy there beforehand, but working there is also a constant reminder of what happened (I got the news there, etc). It feels like part of an "old life" I need to move past.

However navigating a change of job under these circumstances is difficult.

I want to hand in my notice so as not to perpetuate my absence, but would I basically be able to serve my notice whilst on sick leave?

And if I leave my job and don't find another job within the month I have, can I still claim JSA if I leave on medical grounds? How do I work this?

I asked my doctor but he wasn't 100% sure. He said if necessary he can write a letter explaining the situation. He recommended I speak to HR directly but I don't want to lay my cards out on the table before I know where I stand.

Thank you!