Short term sick - ESA or JSA?

newbiegirl

Hi i wonder if anyone can advise me. My partner is a semi-skilled labourer working on a self-employed basis. He has just had an accident (on his bike, not at work) and broken his collar bone and several ribs, and the consultant in hospital told him he would have to be off work for 6 weeks. He doesn't get any sick pay from anywhere, so has just put in a claim for ESA (contributions based, as he's paid his NI stamps, we live together and my own income is slightly (not much) over the low limit for him to get anything income based).

His GP had given him a sick note saying he would be unfit for work for 6 weeks (he can't even stand up for more than 10 minutes without getting out of breath, or do basic household tasks, let alone lump round big lumps of stone which is what his job entails!). We've sent the DWP the sick note (not sure if they received it yet) but in the mean time they've said 'need more information' and sent him a long form to fill in about what he can / can't do.

I don't really understand the process - should we check they've got the sick note, or do we still need to fill the form in anyway - and does it make any difference to payment, how quickly they get it (on the phone, they gave me the impression it was more important to get the sick note to them, and they said they'd text us when they received it, which they haven't)? Do we need fill this form is on the basis of how he is now? By the time they assess it, he should be back at work, more or less? Will he get money in the mean time? Is there a risk they'll say 'you can't do anything physical but you can use one hand to press a button so you should be looking for other kinds of work than your normal work'? If this is a serious risk, should he try and sign on JSA rather than claim ESA? (seems ridiculous to me, he really can't do anything much, even talking gets him out of breath after a while). Or if his claim is refused will they allow him to claim backdated JSA... I'm guessing not?

We can survive on my credit cards over xmas but they'll need paying off so if we don't get anything at all from benefits, it's going to have to be a very lean xmas.

I know the whole system is !!!! for people who have long term conditions but i suppose i hadn't realised how !!!! it seems to be for people who just need *short term sick pay* !!!!!!.

pmlindyloo

Contribution based ESA is the correct benefit for your partner.

https://www.turn2us.org.uk/Benefit-guides/Self-employment-and-benefits/What-benefits-can-I-claim-if-I-can-t-work-because

You should telephone and check that they have received the fit note.

You should complete the form based on what he is capable of doing at the moment. Do not worry about this as by the time they actually call him for an assessment he will back at work and can close the claim.

Do check if you are eligible for any other help during this time e.g. housing benefit, council tax support and tax credits. If you are currently receiving any of these you can just telephone and report a change of circumstances.

Do hope your partner makes a full recovery.

newbiegirl

hi just wanted to say thanks for the reply that is reassuring. we're still in the process - but there is another glitch now, to do with them seeming to miscalculate his NI payment years, i will re-post under a new heading i think. thanks again!

PersianCatLady

pmlindyloo wrote: »

Contribution based ESA is the correct benefit for your partner.

Do hope your partner makes a full recovery.

I agree and hopefully he will start to feel better soon.