Contributions based JSA if I resign?

[wantmorenow]

I have reached the end of my tether with my employer - after being refused part time hours to help my deal with health issues and workload in the existing role. I resigned my role and was off with WRS through the tail end of my notice period then interviewed for and was offered a much less senior and part time role which I started in March. I can't do it. My whole team except me have been put on redundancy notice and my LM has resigned. Stress still continues and I want out (education and new term just started). If I resign I would ideally like to be able to claim contribution based JSA but know I will likely be sanctioned. What does that actually mean in reality?

I work away from home and just want to go home and support my adult son with his very recent diagnosis of ASD and ADD and get myself well for a few months until I find something away from education.

Have some savings but getting JSA for 6 months would definitely help - always worked full time and no idea how this all works. Not claimed anything since the 1980s lol.

TIA

I haven’t worked for the DWP For over a decade, but a sanction would depend on your reasons for leaving your job - regardless of whether it is contributions or income based JSA. I think it can be up to 6 months. If you’re stating stress as a reason for leaving, I think you will need proof, I presume something from your doctor. Why don’t you actually speak to a benefits advisor in the job centre? If you ring them up, somebody should be able to give you a clearer idea and up-to-date information.

Thank you - I honestly didn't think they had real people anymore but will try that. I guess it's stress plus my own failing health (arthritis and poor mobility) plus caring needs for my son.

I can’t pretend to know exactly how many of the staff are actually based in job centres anymore: but there certainly should be somebody available to speak on the telephone. If you are in poor health and also have a child to care for, they may be able to give you some advice around that, too.

Could you claim contribution-based ESA instead?

We had a similar discussion with job centre last year as step son wanted to literally walk out of his job... Their advise was that it can be a minimum of 6 weeks before you receive any payment and they can make it longer if they choose to believe that your reasons aren't viable.
In your case, particularly being in education, look at being signed off immediately which will give you some time and contact the job centre as you can be placed on universal credit instead.
Have you had a look at jobs in your local authority covering educational admin or elective home education? We have a lot of ex teachers working with us on advice lines etc so worth a look

If you have failing health then contributions based esa may be s as n option.

look into it.

Thank you for taking time to help. Son is a young adult now but struggling with the move to meds and appointments etc. I won't qualify for UC but the JSA would help. I do intend to get a new job just need a breather so want to preserve my reference and relatively good sickness record rather then go long term sick ESA etc. I will look into tutoring and other roles just feel I have nothing to give at the moment. I have compassion fatigue for students (and staff). The behaviours and neediness (of staff. management and students) is more than I can keep brushing off. Feel like I may explode and need to get out before I behave 'unprofessionally'. I actually burst into tears at a sign in the breast screening lorry set up. It read, abuse of our staff will not be tolerated - I get abused daily at work and I'm supposed to just take it on the chin without ever being supported. We all are. :-(

You really do need to look after yourself before the burnout hits xx

This^

References nowadays are apparently factual ( “Ms name worked for this company from x date to y date” type thing) rather than including sick leave and things. Especially if disability related, so you might not have anything to lose if you’re off sick with stress or whatever and getting sick pay while you look fur another job.