Getting back into work when on DLA and ESA

Viberduo

I am on DLA and ESA, I suffer severe depression and anxiety, am autistic and cannot handle any sort of pressure as I break down.

I am not lazy really as when not stressed I actually go above and beyond my responsibilities i.e I have worked in call centres before, a factory, and a supermarket and each employer used to send me letters every month or two praising that I was above quotas or would turn up early and leave late.

Problem is due to my social development problems I find it hard to make friends and the rare one I do make I cannot handle more than small bursts i.e invite me out for a drink and I am tired after a long day so go home.

Anyway I want to get back into the workplace and do not want to sound greedy, but I am happy with minimum wage but want good hours i.e full time partly because if I was working like 20 hours and earning less than I am now or only a few quid more I would get a stress build up and just leave after about 6 months as is the norm for me working(worked at most 9 months in past)

I have a bus pass so thats one less worry but with my problems with getting out of bed and stress making me tired I sleep extreme hours(did cut it down to about 8-10 hours but about once a week sleep about 12)

Anyway sorry to write such a long message but normally I feel so awful I cannot get out of bed, once I am out of bed for about 20 minutes I dont feel tired, then by time I get home I feel like I havent slept in days which is part of the reason I am on ESA but I will not get better I will get worse at this rate.

I do not want to rush in nor do I want to just rot.

That in mind what is best way to get back into work? Meant to get quarterly checks from local jobcentre but they either cancel them or dont bother making them.

TELLIT01

There are various versions of Permitted Work you should investigate. This would allow you to work for up to 16 hours per week and earn up to £101. Even Permitted Work won't force any employer to keep you in a job if you don't turn up! I appreciate that you have problems, but you need to address them. You need to speak to the advisor at your local JC to find out more about organisations in your are which may be able to help you.

Scully38

Viberduo wrote: »

I am on DLA and ESA, I suffer severe depression and anxiety, am autistic and cannot handle any sort of pressure as I break down.

I am not lazy really as when not stressed I actually go above and beyond my responsibilities i.e I have worked in call centres before, a factory, and a supermarket and each employer used to send me letters every month or two praising that I was above quotas or would turn up early and leave late.

Problem is due to my social development problems I find it hard to make friends and the rare one I do make I cannot handle more than small bursts i.e invite me out for a drink and I am tired after a long day so go home.

Anyway I want to get back into the workplace and do not want to sound greedy, but I am happy with minimum wage but want good hours i.e full time partly because if I was working like 20 hours and earning less than I am now or only a few quid more I would get a stress build up and just leave after about 6 months as is the norm for me working(worked at most 9 months in past)

I have a bus pass so thats one less worry but with my problems with getting out of bed and stress making me tired I sleep extreme hours(did cut it down to about 8-10 hours but about once a week sleep about 12)

Anyway sorry to write such a long message but normally I feel so awful I cannot get out of bed, once I am out of bed for about 20 minutes I dont feel tired, then by time I get home I feel like I havent slept in days which is part of the reason I am on ESA but I will not get better I will get worse at this rate.

I do not want to rush in nor do I want to just rot.

That in mind what is best way to get back into work? Meant to get quarterly checks from local jobcentre but they either cancel them or dont bother making them.

I get help from Access to Work, and they've been brilliant with me. I work 22.5 hrs and get the basic pip allowance and am applying for tax credits now my result is through. I'm not sure what help they could give you with it being mental health, and they usually only get involved once you're working, but it might be worth asking the question.

It is hard at the best of times to get a job, doubly so when you have physical or mental health problems, but most employers now can't discriminate (but they do). Look for the 'tick' symbol when applying for jobs. Give the CAB a ring and make an appointment and keep ringing the job center and ask to speak to the disability advisor. You should have one already, even if they keep cancelling. If the advisor continues to cancel appointments as k to speak with their manager and make sure you get their names, and keep a log of when and who you call, so you have your evidence if you need to make a formal complaint. If you still get no joy, carry on up the chain until you get success. If you don't speak to your MP and explain the problems you have.

First though ask yourself if you can manage a 40 hour week, especially if you're struggling now. If you get DLA you should get WTC when you start work, so won't be disadvantaged. I'm on basic rate and can manage doing 22.5 per week with my PIP and i'm applying for WTC, so you should manage on 30 hrs.

Good Luck

SailorSam

You were talking about having a bus pass, if it's like the passes we have you're not going to be able to use it until after 9.30. But maybe that's not a problem if you find getting outof bed difficult, you'll be better looking for work with a late start.
Another thing to look at if you find people stressful, could you find any work to do from home, even something self-employed.

help4help2013

a friend mine who is from the north west ( not to sure what it is everywhere else ) has a C+ concessionary bus pass you can use it any time to travel that goes for trams and trains too

System

help4help2013 wrote: »

a friend mine who is from the north west ( not to sure what it is everywhere else ) has a C+ concessionary bus pass you can use it any time to travel that goes for trams and trains too

I think it depends on the local council as to whether they have extra conditions (here for example disabed passes cab used at any time and on local trains)


If you get DLA to look into claiming the disiability element of WTC as this can be claimed from 16 hours and does help quite a bit. i'm contracted to 16 but usually do about 25hrs and my dla and TC help take some of the pressure off as i couldn't cope with FT

Indie_Kid

xXMessedUpXx wrote: »

I think it depends on the local council as to whether they have extra conditions (here for example disabed passes cab used at any time and on local trains)

It does, yes. I can't use mine before 9.30. But if I do show my pass, I pay either £1 or £1.20 depending on the bus company.