Claiming ESA

[ellymay99]

Last month I had a traumatic miscarriage, which has left me traumatised, depressed and anxious. I've just found out I'm pregnant again, which has made me feel worse, I'm happy to be pregnant, but scared stiff that somethings going to happen. I've suffered with my mental health for the past 3 years.

I've gotten to the point where I can't be alone, even in my home because I have fear that something going to happen to me and my baby, if I go into the garden I have to take someone with me due to fear of falling over or injuring myself.

I've become stressed to the point where I'm lashing out and being aggressive towards my loved ones.

I currently claim JSA, but atm the thought of looking for work seems unrealistic to me, I'm considering applying for ESA, but don't know if I even stand a chance of being successful.

Any advice is appreciated.

Have you worked and paid NI contributions in the past few years ? is it contributions based JSA you are currently claiming ? You could try for contributions based esa if you are eligible , if you have a working partner then you wont get income based ESA. For the first 13 weeks of ESA it is only the same money as JSA and would only go up if you got put in the support group. Whether this happens depends whether you are assessed as being unable to do any kind of work.