Threatened with JSA sanction for being signed off ill

nannytone_2

poppy12345 wrote: »

I would disagree with you here. ESA is for those unable to work. The OP wants to work but there's some Jobs they're unable to do. DWP wouldn't support them in looking for work if claiming ESA. There's permitted work but you need to be in one of the groups for this. I think JSA supported by the letter from GP is the better option.

ESA WRAG is for those with 'limited capacity for work' ( so illnesses/conditions that put them at a disafvantage when it comes to gaining employment) and the support group is for those deemed unfit for any work

System

mycleverbunnies wrote: »

Hi
Have you considered applying for PIP?
I have struggled with CFS since 2007 when I was diagnosed.I have always worked(and was a single parent too.my daughter is now 25).Last year I collapsed and was in hospital.I was advised to apply for PIP and was awarded it after a face to face appointment and a report from my doctor.I had no problems with the process and everyone involved was really kind. I totally understand and empathise with everything you are saying .I am still off sick from work at present and receiving treatment but need to accept I can only go back part time now.The PIP helps so much because I can get a taxi when the fatigue suddenly kicks in severely and everywhere is spinning or I have a hospital appt but my muscles are too seized up and sore to move far.I also got a memory foam mattress which is amazing for pain, you may want to get one.I am so, so grateful for the help.I am lucky that my daughter lives 5 mins away from me.She literally helps me everyday practically and emotionally.
Also, I am outraged at the employment adviser.CFS is a recognised disability now protected under the disability discrimination act 2010. I think it is a very good thing that you have accepted you can't work full time instead of forcing yourself and becoming more ill.I have been there done that hence I am in this position now. It looks like I may have an autoimmune disease as well. Trust your own instincts and ignore ignorant people.Take care.

I second PIP id you're eligible

If you are awarded it then you can get tax credits for working 16+ hours and it might get the JC to be more understanding of your limitations. Really under the equality act they should be making reasonable adjustments (for example to your claimant commitment). I'd be insisting on seeing the disability advisor (most JC should have one) and ask for your agreement to be adjusted to to take into account your disability.

Keedie

Thank you all so much, I am very new to benefits so I didn't even know that a DEA exists and was never advised to speak to anyone. But I will look into this when I see my advisor on Monday morning. He's okay, but it his miserable colleague standing in for him that had me in tears!

I was temporarily paralysed in 2001 due to CFS, and then had off bouts of extreme fatigue and muscle weakness on and off for years. Then I had an operation for a completely unrelated condition in summer 2014, and I just went quickly downhill from there. I was still working full time, and struggling and pushing myself too hard and being signed off for weeks or months at a time. Then the opportunity for voluntary redundancy came up, and so I just jumped at the chance and tried to ignore the fact that I was deteriorating, as I need to remain full-time to get the maximum redundancy payout. But once I finished working, it all caught up with me. I just assumed after a few months break I'd start temping with no issues around October 2016, but I was struggling to stay awake or do much, and then I accepted that I needed to sign on to get some money coming whilst I tried to get well enough to work properly.

mycleverbunnies - I hope that you start to feel better soon, and things become more manageable. It's hard as a single parent, and when you become ill, it knocks us and our kids. My son is 10 now, but I've been really sick since he was 7 and he's slowly turning into a young carer. So I'm being honest with my limitations, as I need to work but I need also to know that I have enough energy to still parent him as best that I can. As he's starting to get really frustrated with everything and he has a typical boy's energy and stamina.

I'll look into PIP, and find out more about ESA WRAG stuff too. My doctor will provide me with medical certificates and I have a specialist team at the hospital, I am just waiting for funding to come through so that I can start a treatment programme. So hopefully I will be able to get some more help and support. As I currently don't receive any income other than my child benefit and contribution based JSA, as the child tax credits people said that I earned too much last tax year, and as I worked until July and received pay in lieu of notice, and my JSA is contribution based, all of that has put me over the threshold for receiving anything this tax year

MummyMoo

Maybe being on ESA short term will give you the space to look for a suitable position without the pressure and stress of potential sanctioning, so long as you are motivated to independently job hunt (as previously mentioned you won't get much help on your job hunting on ESA if any). Just a though

Keedie

Thank you MummyMoo, I do look for jobs everyday or so, but I only apply for roles that I can practically do. Which I don't think is enough for the job centre, so I will definitely look into ESA, PIP etc.

dktreesea

poppy12345 wrote: »

I would disagree with you here. ESA is for those unable to work. The OP wants to work but there's some Jobs they're unable to do. DWP wouldn't support them in looking for work if claiming ESA. There's permitted work but you need to be in one of the groups for this. I think JSA supported by the letter from GP is the better option.

Claiming ESA these days is an uncertain business. My relative applied last April, didn't get referred on for the Work Capability Assessment from the DWP until October, and still hasn't received an appointment by now.


And also, if you fail the ESA assessment, even after appeals, in theory you go back onto JSA, but the doctor is still saying you're not fit for work. To get JSA, you don't just have to be available for work; you have to be able to work. So what seems to be happening at our job centre is people are getting their JSA claims cancelled and being left with nothing.


It's a Machiavellian system we seem to have now. The doctor says you're not fit for work and the DWP disagree for ESA purposes but agree, and subsequently sanction the recipient, for JSA purposes.