About the time between being struck off & then JSA

Firstly, a big hello to everyone on here, I am a new member but have been reading this forum on & off for a while.

I myself have just been sent the 'new' ESA50 01/13 for the first time and will be completing it over the next couple of weeks. I have downloaded the guides.

Anyway, the purpose of this post doesn't require any elaboration about myself as such. I really wanted to ask anyone in here about that seriously horrible period of time during which you get cut off by ATOS/DWP, your benefit stopped suddenly without any letters or whatever, and then have to claim JSA.

I am expecting the worst, as I will be completing the form on mental health grounds without any physical disability (bipolar disorder + paranoid personality disorder).

I specifically want to ask the members here, what to expect with regards to :-

1) How difficult is it to actually qualify for JSA?, by this I mean, not having worked for a few years there are ZERO NI contributions, so that looks bad for starters. Also, what is the reacton of staff at the Jobcenters when they discover that you have been on Incapacity for a while. I fear being turned down at this stage and therefore realistically face the joyful prospect of starving or genuinely being forced to go out and do some sort of armed robbery somewhere when the hunger pangs start to kick in. I have no criminal record but would rather prison than starving and would rather prison than sleeping rough in view of how cold the recent few winters have been here in the UK.

2) Do you get any sort of letter in advance of benefits being stopped? or do they just cut you off instantly (this is what I have been reading, and hearing on various talk radio shows etc.), and, if suddenly cut off, and if lucky enough to qualify for JSA, how long does it take to actually get some money coming in again?, I have heard that if you do qualify for JSA it will take at least a month for the first payment to get to you.

If anyone could let me know about their experience of being cut off suddenly, and what happens next at that stage, I would be very grateful for your reply.

Thank you

Hello and welcome to the site I have allowed your post as you are new, but it is a touch long so I woould ask you to try and keep things shorter in future please.

Anyone refused ESA will be enitled to claim the assessment rate during appeal - until they have received a total of 365 days assessment and/or WRAG. If ESA is then still refused at appeal, or the claimant chooses not to appeal, then alternative forms of income must be sought.

Anyone who has been on IB prior to ESA will only have accumulated NI credits towards the state pension during this time so would only be able to claim income-related JSA, subject to a means test, as they would not meet the criteria for contributary JSA. New claimants might be entitled to 6 monts contributary JSA if they have made enough contributions in the past 2 full tax years.

Assuming that there is a working partner, as this is likely if they do not quailify for income-related benefit, that partner might be eligible for working tax credit. However, we are not experts in other benefits so cannot advise regarding this.