Misconduct can bring sanctions

Q . I have recently lost my job through misconduct. I have heard that you can’t claim Jobseekers Allowance if you leave work for this reason, is there anything else that I can claim instead? I have been working there full time for 6 years. A . You should still make an application for Jobseekers Allowance; however, it is likely to be sanctioned if you have left work due to your own misconduct. A first time “higher level” sanction is 13 weeks. If you are going to be in financial hardship then you can apply for hardship payments from the 15th day of the sanction. Hardship payments are only available within the first two weeks if you are considered to be vulnerable. The standard rate of hardship payments are 60% of your normal Jobseekers Allowance amount. You would still be entitled to ‘passported’ benefits such as free prescriptions, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction. Q . I have been receiving Incapacity Benefit for a lot of years and I have recently received an ESA50 form to complete. Why have I been sent this? A . Incapacity Benefit is a relatively old benefit and was replaced by Employment and Support Allowance for new claims from 2008. Since 2011 Incapacity Benefit claimants have been going through the reassessment process to transfer to Employment and Support Allowance; most Incapacity Benefit claimants have now been transferred. The ESA50 is the first step in the reassessment process. It is a medical questionnaire which asks about your health problems and how they affect your ability to work. Following scrutiny of the ESA50 most claimants are invited for a medical assessment known as a Work Capability Assessment. You will be scored against set criteria (along with some exceptional circumstances) and if you are found to have Limited Capability for Work Contributions Based to Income then you will be transferred Related. My amount to Employment and Support has dropped by nearly £30 Allowance and paid a week because of my War that benefit rather than Incapacity Pension, are the DWP allowed Benefit. Additionally, to take that into account? if you are found to have A Limited Capability for Work . If you have been on Related Activity then you Employment and Support will be placed in the Support Allowance in the Work Group of Employment and Related Activity Group for Support Allowance. one year then your claim There are requirements becomes means tested and on claimants in the Work most forms of additional income Related Activity Group to are taken into account take part in activities to help and deducted from your them to prepare for work award. including creating a CV, or With War Pensions the attending courses. DWP disregard the first £10, Q . I have been on Employment but anything above £10 will and Support Allowance reduce your Employment for one year and and Support Allowance payments. have just switched from