Finally!

[bluejeans16]

It looks as though I have been put on ESA not JSA thank goodness. Hopefully that means that there will be less pressure on me to find a full time job.

[Betty67]

Hope that the less stress helps you and that you find things to help you.

[bluejeans16 in reply to Betty67]

I was quite suprised that I got it. Last week I went to sign on for the first time and I had already been told that the disability advisor was less than sympathetic. Yesterday I had an appointment at a local mental health drop in centre I think it was because I cried when I went to see the advisor. As I walked into the centre I thought why has she sent me here I am not mentally ill. I spent the rest of the day feeling really down. I have now been sent me for councling I don't know why but if I talk about my life I feel depressed and that isn't like me as I never cry. As I walked into the centre it made me feel depressed.

[Betty67 in reply to bluejeans16]

I can relate and that even if you are not depressed we all need to talk and sometimes those nearest and dearest can't or won't help.

[TheAuthor]

Hi bluejeans16

That is great news, congratulations and well done!

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken x

[Offcut]

What ESA are you on?

[bluejeans16]

Not sure. I didn't know there were different types of esa

[Scouser58]

Hello bluejeans16, the experience I have had with ESA (employment support allowance), you go for a chat, with somebody who takes notes and asks you questions, and when do you think you may be able to go to work!!. My answer, not in the near future. Then another sit and chat, same answer.

Then I gets a letter through the post from some little boy asking if I need any help to find work, just call him for help??!!!???. Needless to say I have not done anything about this letter apart from wondering, who the help does he think he is???.

This esa, just gives them a different approach to getting you off benefits and into any job, so just be calm and don't let them rattle you into doing or saying anything. Don't answer any questions without looking at them and thinking of an answer, then always refer back to your condition, and even ask their opinion about?do you think I can do this or that.

I always tell them I have been like this for xxxx years, and have not been able to work all this/that time.

I am also medically pensioned off from my last job, so if forced to go into work, my pension will be stopped and it will then require a full esa payments in its place. They look puzzled at this one.

Bluejeans, be slow and have your list of what you take and how long it takes you to get moving in the mornings, and what is required for you to be able to go out, times etc, and medications that have to go with you, ttfn Karen

[Scouser58]

There are two types work and support, I am on work and you may well be as well bluejeans, there are more things to be passed to get on support, I have not taken up this battle yet, ttfn Karen