JSA sanctions

IF I fail my ESA assessment and appeal etc, they will expect me to sign on for JSA, but I am worried that I won't always be able to fulfil the obligations because of my illness which is depression/anxiety/social phobia - some days I can't get out of bed, some days I can't get out the door because of agrophobic feelings and on 99% of days I just can't face other people. So they won't give me JSA either. And if I don;t get JSA or ESA it means I don't get Housing Benefit or Council tax benefit. This means I will have no money whatsoever for food/heat and I will be homeless because I will be evicted for non-payment of rent. So basically, my question is "am I going to die if i don't get ESA?" because I won;t have a single penny. It's so worrying.

Hi mumsgirl

If you appeal an ESA decision for failing the WCA you can claim ESA at the assessment rate until the outcome of the appeal.

We don't cover JSA and HB. I can only tell you that if you have been found fit for work for ESA purposes you are automatically treated as not having limited capability for work and therefore entitled to claim JSA.

If you claim JSA the law allows you to place reasonable restrictions on your availability to work due to disability, but you still need to show that you are available for work and have reasonable prospects of obtaining work, and the restrictions have to be agreed with a JCP advisor, decision maker or tribunal judge; so you may as well ignore this paragraph!

If you don't feel capable of work and have your GP's support you would be better off reclaiming ESA.

HB is a means tested benefit so as far as I know losing entitlement to ESA shouldn't dis-entitle you to HB, but just require evidence of satisfying the means test.

Derek