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Depression/Job Seekers
EMcGuire
Posts: 1 Newbie
Hi there everybody
On 27th November i was dismissed from my job for misconduct. Whilst i am appealing the decision and have great grounds for an unfair dismissal claim ive come to the realization that i was a ticking time bomb.
For many years ive been dealing with depression and am only just coming to admit i need help with it and need to seek it. This job loss has compounded my state and blown the symptoms up to unbearable proportions. In fact this is the first time ive said out loud that im suffering. I pass myself off as the "big guy, everythings fine, nothing to see here"
As a result im finding it increasingly difficult to function. Finding new work in my current state has been very difficult thus far
Ive never claimed any benefits in my adult life and have worked consistently for the last 18 years since i turned 16.
Im looking for advice on how to proceed with a claim for not only job seekers but anything i may be entitled to whilst i deal with my depression issues. I dont want to be unemployed, i want to work, but in the immediate future i cannot see a way out of this hole and know getting into work would further trap me under this cloud. I need to take care of my health first. I have a child i share custody of so obviously lack of money is now becoming another crippling concern
Any advice on how i proceed and what i need would be greatly recieved.
On 27th November i was dismissed from my job for misconduct. Whilst i am appealing the decision and have great grounds for an unfair dismissal claim ive come to the realization that i was a ticking time bomb.
For many years ive been dealing with depression and am only just coming to admit i need help with it and need to seek it. This job loss has compounded my state and blown the symptoms up to unbearable proportions. In fact this is the first time ive said out loud that im suffering. I pass myself off as the "big guy, everythings fine, nothing to see here"
As a result im finding it increasingly difficult to function. Finding new work in my current state has been very difficult thus far
Ive never claimed any benefits in my adult life and have worked consistently for the last 18 years since i turned 16.
Im looking for advice on how to proceed with a claim for not only job seekers but anything i may be entitled to whilst i deal with my depression issues. I dont want to be unemployed, i want to work, but in the immediate future i cannot see a way out of this hole and know getting into work would further trap me under this cloud. I need to take care of my health first. I have a child i share custody of so obviously lack of money is now becoming another crippling concern
Any advice on how i proceed and what i need would be greatly recieved.
0
Comments
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Assuming no savings due to your money concerns:
Are you able to look for work? If so, then JSA. If not due to your depression, then ESA. Obviously there are qualifying things for this.
Housing benefit if you rent. Council tax reduction.
Other than potentially ESA over JSA there’s nothing else particularly for ‘depressed job seekers’0 -
If your GP will issue a "fit note", then you should be able to claim New Style (Contribution Based) ESA.
The application process differs between areas in which Universal Credit has been rolled out, and areas still operating legacy benefits.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-style-employment-and-support-allowance
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/employment-and-support-allowance/
https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/employment-and-support-allowance/start-the-esa-test
If you are in a UC area and pay rent, then you will need to claim UC for help with the housing element:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/
If not in a UC area - then claim Housing Benefit from your local authority.
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/help-if-on-a-low-income/housing-benefit/help-with-your-rent-housing-benefit/
For help with Council Tax - contact your LA
There is a benefit called PIP for individuals who need help with care needs due to illness / disability.
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/before-claiming/check-you-are-eligible/
This may or may not be appropriate in your situation. More details on eligibility:
https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip/pip-points-system
Check here to see if you are in a UC area:
https://ucpostcode.entitledto.co.uk/ucdateAlice Holt Forest situated some 4 miles south of Farnham forms the most northerly gateway to the South Downs National Park.0 -
Can't help with the benefits issue but certainly see your GP about the depression.It's nothing , not nothink.0
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First decide what benefit to claim
If you have been working full time for the last 2 - 3 years you will qualify for contributory..if you have no mortgage and no partner to support or if you have a partner who is working,,then contributory is the way to go for now just to get you started on benefits.
Now decide if JSA Conts or ESA Conts
Both are available to you whether you live in a UC area or not You should avoid claiming UC for now. stick with contributory.
JSA is looking for work and cannot be backdated -but you should always ask that it is backdated when you make the claim to 27 November. Also I am not sure about your being dismissed will entitle you to JSA...
ESA is a sickness benefit and can easily be backdated to 27th November.
ESA will give you a 7 day self sick note from 27th - 3/12/17
You need a real GP sick note ASAP ideally see your doctor on Monday (I know it is imposible) but when ever you see your doctor ask if they can back date it , if you have discussed this with your doctor recently they should be abe to backdate it...if you have not then they will likely not backdate the sick note... If this is the case you will likely not be paid ESA until the date your sick note starts from.
phone 08000 556688 you know which one you want...
If they say you are in a UC area then you will have to phone the UC no. and ask them for JSA or ESA Conts0
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