I had my stroke in May 24. I returned to work part time after some recovery time. The office environment was overwhelming on alot of levels, so it was agreed I could work from home.
Fast forward to Dec 2025, and the company has gone into insolvency, so was made redundant. I was advised by my GP to only if necessary to work stick to part time, as still have ongoing residual problems with eye,sleep apnea, tremor in left leg, exhaustion and sugar levels (never issue prior)
He did me a fit note stating that. The Jobcentre advised I should apply for new style ESA rather than JSA, which I did. I have just had to complete a Work Capability Assessment form to send back to them. So still unsure what this all actually means as never since I started work in 1981 have I had to deal with the welfare system.
It means you can work part time or even full time (I think) and receive benefits to top up your pay so that you can take care of yourself with basic needs like food, heating &c. It’s societies way of saying, we would like to take care of those less fortunate than ourselves and donate a small amount of our income to support this cause.
Hi thanks Rups, yes I get that the ESA is more for people with some difficulties. Where as JSA is for someone unemployed who could/should be applying for all types full time work. I class myself as quite fortunate but as paid into said system am now entitled to a basic amount whilst looking for part time work. Just interested if anyone else had to fill out a WCA. Searching further I think it is to put you into 1 of two groups. Expected to look for work and supported looking for work.
Hi @Dido14 as @Rups has said JSA has different component parts and can be paid out as both ESA and JSA but on reading your post think it’s more like the old ESA or employment support allowance was where as describe this is a benefit to try and negate the penalties us disabled worker often face.
The WCA - work capability assessment is to allow those at the DWP assess(?) what you can be expected to do in the workplace, it also gives scope for reasonable adjustments which always tickles me. one former manger decided he didn’t want a workplace assessment for me after forcing me to have another assessment for dyslexia then compounded this by telling me in writing I was going to be dismissed for being so. One of us did not make it to year end appraisal and the other stayed for 6 more years
@Dido14 Only you know if you are fit for work, no one else, they are only form filling. I made big mistake of coming back to soon, but I just got to suck it up unfortunately as it was my fault. No one knows what it is like to be you, except you. My GP put my name forward to return to work with a scheme in the doctors they were running called ways into work, full of absolute sh&e. The surgery must have got some financial gain for supplying tel nos. This scheme is for someone who was out of work, I was in full time employment and has suffered a stroke. So it made me feel guilty that I should be at work. I was and assh&^. Take care of yourself
