Wanting to work but hitting a wall ...

Cookiee

Hi Lovely peeps

My OH is currently in receipt of ESA WRAG but if the government gets the welfare bill through, this payment will stop in April.

Short version is my OH has 2 spinal nerve blockages in his spinal cord plus 3 broken discs as well as numbness down his left side. He is trying to find work which does not involve heavy lifting and an employer who is understanding and will help OH when he has to take rest and painkillers (he is currently on morphine, spinal nerve repressive tablets plus other tablets). OH has called several agencies plus I take him to the JC every friday but so far he keeps getting the following responses:

Agencies:
1 - Will not be able to insure him on site with back injury
2 - has to be fit and healthy to work in a warehouse/driving role
3 - has been out of work too long and would need training, which they are not willing to do due to the above :eek:

JC:
1 - He is not well enough to go back to work
2 - Because he is in the WRAG, are not able to put him on any work training positions or training courses (inc fork lift) until the ESA stops and he goes on JSA but because he wont be fit enough for JSA then he wont be entitled.

Grrr .... I tell ya it's like hitting a brick wall. OH is desperate to go back to work. He is willing to do pretty much anything. His claim stops in April and we will not be entitled to anything and the main concern is he is getting more and more depressed as he keeps getting knocked back.

I know there is not really anything you lovely peeps can advise but I am sooo fustrated!! Can agencies really say they wont take you on due to a back injury? Is it true he would not be able to be insured on site at an employers? Even though he has always declaired it on all applications and phonecalls?

Can anyone suggest what roles he could do? He can't sit or stand for more than 30 mins max. He cannot bend at the waist and needs a stick more often than not to walk. I even have to help him dress and shower as he cant bend. He has no qualifications as he has been a manual worker for the last 20 years+. He was a valeter for 8 years before his accident and his old employer said they would take him back but have now changed their mind

Thanks for reading ... feel a bit better now getting this off my chest x

dandelionclock30

What about a more office based job? you can usually get up and walk about every few minutes if needed?.he would need to get some basic qualifications though.
He has my sympathy as I suffer from a very bad back too and its absolutley terrible.

LondonDiva

Can your husband do call centre type work at home?

MrsManda

I don't know about agencies so cannot help with that.

Has he spoken to a disability advisor at the JC?
It may be worth asking for details about the work programme or seeing if he can get some support for work related activity as he's in the WRAG.

Has he considered volunteering to build up some recent work history and gain new skills?

Has he had a look at the local college to see if there's any courses he'd like to do? As he doesn't have any qualifications he should get fees paid for him upto a full level 2 qualification.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/AdultLearning/FinancialHelpForAdultLearners/DG_10033130

SarEl

Can I suggest that instead of focussing solely on returning to work - which given your description is laudable, but perhaps unrealistic in the short term - you speak to CAB about benefits and about any local disability groups appropriate to his condition that may be able to point you towards specialist advice and support on training and employment. I cannot see a reasonable prospect of many employers being able to manage his multiple needs, and it isn't realistic of the jobcentre to be saying he is fit for work when his ability is so limited (to say nothing of his medication which are a risk in many workplaces ),but then saying he won't get JSA because he isn't fit! A specialist advisor is the best way to go.

Cookiee

Thank you for your comments x

He has never been in an office environment. He is 38 and the only time he has been in an office was to collect his wages at the end of the week. He is not good on the phone and never uses a computer (unless it's an xbox - of which he should have a masters lol)

We have spoken to CAB. He is only entitled to ESA. I earn too much for any other help. He has applied for DLA but they have written to say they are looking into it and will come back to us once they have spoken to his surgeon and dr. This was in December and when i called they said it is still ongoing.

Thanks SarEl for your advice. I didnt think about a specialist advisor. Would the advisor be at the JC? When I was with OH at the JC she was very confused herself and I had to inform her about my OH esa conditions!!

My OH suggested volenteering but the JC has said there is no point whilst he is unable to stand for more than 30 mins. The local college don't do free courses for adults. They have to be done at the other college, which is 35 mins drive from us. At the moment, whilst OH can drive for 15/20 mins max he can be in considerable pain.

I will ask OH to speak to a disability specialist tomorrow - thanks x

Googlewhacker

Could he look at starting something up himself?

SarEl

There are a lot of voluntary organizations -that is why I suggested asking CAB -who provide independent advice, support and training. The jc and college are far from the only providers these days.

Cookiee

He would not be in a position to start up a business. You need money, and more importantly an idea lol.

I have googled back injury support with work and have 2 support numbers - thanks SarEl x

ohreally

Has he spoken with a consultant to establish if he's a suitable candidate for surgery?

dandelionclock30

He should be entitled to a free bus pass if his backs as bad as that.I've got one for my back and its the same entitlements as the ones for pensioners.You just get a form from the bus station and then get the Dr to stamp it.