Job Seekers or Employment & Support Allowance ?

[CW1]

Hi,

Had to give up my (physically demanding) job last month due to an injury (and my boss said I wasn't pulling my weight, which I'd probably agree with as I WAS getting knackered, I thought because it WAS such hard work !) and am now unemployed. Now I've been diagnosed with an under active thyroid and have started a low dose (25mg) of levothyroxine. If I were working I guess I'd have been signed off but as I'm not, do I claim JSA (when I don't know if I can actually work) or ESA ? Was at Jobcentre yesterday and they've told me to discuss it with doctor. I did broach the subject last time I was there but didn't get an answer, both of us had more pressing things to talk about. I feel awkward speaking to her as it looks like I'm being mercenary but I will. Meantime, does anyone have experience of this situation ?

Thanks

[EDDIE51]

You have to claim JSA first and then if your condition continues you can apply for ESA . Your doctor and at least one other doctor will have to sign the paper work for ESA. I think you need to have claimed JSA for 3 months before you can start ESA. After 3 months on ESA you will be sent to an assessment panel to see if it will continue.

[CW1]

Ah, ok Eddie. Guy at Jobcentre didn't mention any of that !

Thing is too, I've looked at the questionnaire online re claiming ESA and it doesn't really seem to apply. "Can I walk 50 yards unaided ?" Well, yes ! I can "do" everything but not at my "normal" speed, and what employer'll take me on if I say "Please bear with me, I'll be slow and will get knackered this afternoon" !!

Ooops, slight digression ...

[CW1]

Just thought, if that is the case, there's no point discussing it with my doctor this early after initial diagnosis. Is there ? I'll be better placed to know for myself in 3 months, once I'm on a higher dose of medication.

[Graham-W]

My wife has an under-active thyroid and once the correct dosage of thyroxine had been reached she returned to her "normal" self.
I'd claim on JSA if I were you and review it with you GP in 3 months time.

[CW1]

Thanks Graham.

My dilemma is partly in order to claim JSA, I have to be pepared to work. And I don't know if I'm physically able. What would I say to a potential employer ?

I'm due to go for another blood test in a couple of weeks when I guess the dose'll be upped (to 50mg ?). Doubtful that'll get me straight (around 100 - 200mg seems to be the norm, from what I can gather) and having to be increased slowly, I'm guessing I'd go for more blood tests another 4-6 weeks later where it may be increased again (maybe 75mg ?) and so on, so potentially it could be months before I feel "normal". Not being "glass half empty", just realistic. Meantime, I've no income, mortgage etc. ...

[Postdog]

You DON'T have to claim JSA first, because if you can't work, you can't work. I was (am still) in the same boat, and there was no point in claiming JSA because I knew I could not honestly meet the requirements asked.

HOWEVER, and it is a big however, ESA is not easy to get. They pay for 13 weeks at a base rate during which you are medically assessed, and their idea of being medically fit is a bit dracononian to say the least. Mine was cancelled and I was so disgusted that some wannabe doctor dictated this.

If you apply for ESA please do some research into some of the tricks they use and some of the tricks you can use. I'm serious.

[CW1]

Postdog, did your GP say you weren't fit for work ? Jobcentre say if my GP says I'm not, I need to get a sick certificate as if I were working.
If that medical form's anything to go by, DWP'll say I AM fit. But how do I explain to a potential employer when I i) have to fill in a medical questionnaire ii) I'm nodding off in the afternoon ??
Will keep this updated though sounds like it's going to be a l-o-n-g drawn out process ...

[Postdog]

My situation was I had a doctors note, but I was misdiagnosed (well, not so much misdiagnosed, as a reason was given pending ongoing investigation) but even now I have been diagnosed, I have been told ESA would probaly argue the toss.

My problem is a brain tumour. Then the symptoms were severe fatigue and clumsiness, but since then I have experienced other aspects like headaches, double vision, sporadic deafness, all caused by a thing growing inside my head.

Now because I didn't (still don't) know if I will live to collect my pension I opted to get my works pension early and just blew ESA out, but even now I am below the savings threshold, I have been told I wouldn't get ESA, or if I did, it would just be at the basic rate. Whatever, I'm getting that amount paid another way now, and have been told I may as well stay as I am.

The thing is, in their eyes I am fit to do something just because I was able to complete tests, and my argument that I couldn't sustain that ability (the more I attempt, the harder it becomes) doesn't wash with them. At home, doing very little, I am exhausted at the end of the day and can barely climb the stairs - if I worked (or even attempted to get to a job) I'd be useless or even worse maybe dead either by an accident because of it or just overdoing it.

[tonywiltshire]

I agree with Postdog claim ESA, the first phase is called the assessment phase and you will be given a medical assessment to decide what work you can do, if any.
If successful you will then be placed in one of two groups, work related or support and you will receive an increased payment your under active thyroid may preclude you from working altogether and you will be placed on the support group. As has been said ESA is not easy to obtain and ESA has the highest appeal rate of any benefit in my area, many decisions by the DWP are overturned at appeal.

[CW1]

Postdog, appreciate your candour. Puts my "little" prob into perspective, and I do hope (in vain, I'd guess) your situation improves. Would you not be entitled to a different benefit though, Disability Allowance or something ? 'Specially if you've taken early retirement due to ill health (?).

Stamina's gonna be my prob too, so really don't think ESA is gonna pan out for me either, and the ordeal may take it's toll. How the hell all these so-called benefit cheats get round it I wish I knew - seems cheats DO prosper sometimes ! Grrr ...

[Postdog]

http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/

The above site might be of interest to you. I couldn't post it earlier as details were on another computer. Lots of useful tips should you ever have an ATOS meeting can be found here.

[CW1]

That does look useful, thanks Postdog. Mind you, I've dealt with Atos before and, at the risk of sounding like a broken record, they ARE useless. They advised a rehab program after I was off sick some time ago but because the report to my employer was missing ONE word, it was never enforced properly. When I queried it with the interviewer, she initially denied ever saying it. I had a witness & eventually she did concede but was far too late then.

[EDDIE51]

Get down to the CAB and explain your problems. They have expert claims advisors who will do the claim for you. There is a waiting list so get on it.
My wife was refused ESA but we reclaimed with the help of a CAB advisor , this time it was successful . I am certain we woiuld have been refused again if we had gone DIY .

[THECORBYLOON]

You may not be fit for the jib you used to do but that does not mean you are incapable of work. Ifyou think you are able to work you should claim Jobseeker's Allowance. You should discuss with the Jobcentre advisors, any limitations you have and it will then be agreed what type of jobs are suitable for you. If you think you are not fit for work, claim ESA but after the first seven days you will need a "fit note" (medical certificate) from your doctor confirming you are not fit for work.