To ask if people what benefits someone with depression and anxiety can get if they feel they can't work

[HazelPlayer]

A member of my family has given up her job due to depression and anxiety.

The GP is aware and shd has been having counselling.

Her h is not working, he's almost state pension age but not quite, and his work pension doesn't seem to be enough to keep them. He has COPD and other issues and doesn't want to return to work.

Does anyone know offhand if she could get any benefits in her situation?

I will obviously be advising her to go to citizens advice and the UC office too.

this is the issue. Whether she was unable to do her previous job or whether she is unable to do any job, are two completely different things. If the first ,UC would be the most appropriate, with the aim of taking a breather, possibly getting support and then finding a new job. I think they used to give you up to 6 months to find a job in your desired field and after that you'd be expected to apply for anything and everything, and, yes in my experience they would check - obviously they wouldn't be able to definitively establish whether you'd done 36hrs exactly but they would expect details of what jobs you'd applied for, proof of application submitted, etc.

Whether the person actually put any effort into said application is of course not so easy to prove, and why so many adverts get applications from completely unsuitable candidates who clearly don't even want said job and are just tick boxing to get their UC/JSA.

For the second it would be PIP but that would require proof and at some point an evaluation.

Lcwra(limited caperbility for work related activity, pip and universal credit. Will have to be assessed as having limited caperbility for work and pip do assessment.

citizens advice are great and will help with forms.

The op agrees with me so back in your box love.

I would really try to help her find a low stress job. In my experience staying at home and isolating yourself can make anxiety and depression worse. Work can give routine and purpose and socialisation, I find these helpful.

In actual fact they do an online UC claim. UC will look at their health needs, meds etc, and make a decision as to whether the claimant is or is not fit for work. This is how it works. Be honest and truthful on the application. Do it today.

Thanks for the help everyone.

@HazelPlayer as your relative has been working up until recently, she may be able to claim contributions based ESA, which is not means tested... meaning her husband's pension will not be taken into account.
She would be better off making an appointment with her local CAB, and they can go over what she needs to do in regard to claiming.

Her best bet is to focus not on what she can't do but instead to focus on what she can.

For a lot of people a change in occupation can help. One of the staff at my DC preschool had left a very stressful job with mental health. She switched to working 8.45 - 3.15 at the preschool, term time only, and was much happier.

She can claim new style ESA (employment and support allowance) which is for people who have paid NI contributions over the past couple of years. It is not means tested, she will need to get a sick note from her GP to start the claim.

She might also be eligible for universal credit as a couple but it depends on what her husband's pension income is.

Want to comment but darent

I know what you mean. When the request is PIP rather than support back into a different type of work it’s quite frustrating.