Job center

Cascade

Hi , I recently moved to my home town after years away where I worked . I have had to claim benefits as I am not working now . I have been really stressed since returning and find my local job center really pushy and not listening to me about jobs and hours I can work . I went onto ESA as I was told by a friend I would still be able to look for work but not feel pressured into taking anything just to please the job center . Even though I handed in a sick line they still made me attend the job center . It’s interviews over the phone now but it’s like every tens days . My doctor put on the sick line I have psoriatic arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome and I am suffering from stress . My last sick line is up until next year . I feel harassed by this woman and I am applying for jobs I know I can’t physically do just to show I am looking for work . I even got an interview for a domestic which I know I can’t physically do . I’ve only been claiming benefits for 2 1/2 months but it’s stressing me out this having to constantly look and apply for jobs I can’t physically do . I do want to work but a job I can manage . Has anyone any advice about this please ?

ToneBlues

Hi @Cascade

Welcome to our online community for people with arthritis and thank you very much for asking for our help and support.

I see that you have psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and chronic fatigue syndrome, and are experiencing stress and anxiety as a result of your circumstances. You are getting employment support allowance (ESA) and are being asked apply for jobs, even those you are physically unable to do. You would like to work, but that work needs to be suitable for you, given your diagnoses.

This link tells you about the various welfare benefits and other forms of financial support you may be able to get-

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/living-with-arthritis/financial-support/

You may already have a good understanding of your health conditions, but this is some recent information about PsA -

https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2020/january/all-about-psoriatic-arthritis/

From the point of view of your relationship with the job centre the Citizens Advice service should be able to help - this link allows to chat online with an advisor, although it might be better to visit a local Citizens Advice bureau if they are offering face-to-face interviews - they offer advice that is free, confidential, independent and impartial

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/contact-us/web-chat-service/

Has your GP referred you to a rheumatologist locally (you say that you have recently moved)? - if not, it is worth asking your GP for a referral.

Finally - understandably, you say that you are stressed by your circumstances - this page offers some help with stress and maintaining emotional well-being.

Thank you once again for contacting us - I hope that you find the support of our online community is helpful. Please keep in touch.

Very best wishes

@ToneBlues

Mike1

If the Job Centre have not asked you to complete a Work Capability Assessment tell them that you want one, be quite vociferous if need be, even say that you have been advised by a "specialist" that you should have one. (We are all "specialists" on here as we suffer with OA or RA and know what we are talking about. In the event that you get an assessment you could be put in the Support Group and as such you will not have to keep applying for jobs. Have a look at https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/your-esa-claim and https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/capability-for-work-questionnaire

frogmorton

Brilliant advice @Mike1 !