Fear and anxiety

ruddleman

Hello all, please go easy with me as I am very worried about what the new changes to the benefit system are doing to people. I am now suffering panic attacks. I live with parents
Friends say i worry far too much.. I have taken on a job 1 day per week. i have been told my ni contributions would be ok. I am over the limit for savings so had benefits cut back.
If I take the job on and sign off, could I spend my savings any way I like or will they still keep on at me?

~Beanie~

How will changes to the benefit system affect you?

Will who still keep on at you?

I'm not sure what benefits you are claiming but if you sign off and live off your savings, that's your choice.

ruddleman

I am in fear of having to move out of parents house. im on jsa but work starts in 3 weeks permenant for 1 day a week.
afraid of sanctions etc.. and being left with nothing coming in to buy food or keep a flat.

ruddleman

i ahve to go now but will look again on monday. im on libray pc and time is up.

TELLIT01

If you are not claiming benefits 'they', by which I presume you mean JSA or other parts of DWP, will have no interest in what you do. However, if you come off benefits and blow your savings, then try to go back onto benefits 'they' will look long and hard at possible deprivation of capital.

Flyonthewall

Why are you afraid of being sanctioned? Have they got any reason to sanction you? If you keep job searching as required to get JSA benefits they should have no reason to sanction you. You will be working 1 day a week so plenty of time to keep job searching and attend any interviews.

If you sign off JSA then they'll have nothing to do with you. They can't control how you spend your money, even when on JSA. The savings are your money, you can spend it how you want. Not sure why you'd think otherwise. However, as already said, if you signed off, spent it all and tried to claim in the attempt to get more benefits they'd possibly look into it.

agrinnall

Do you think it is likely that you will need to move out of your parents' house? If you do then you may be eligible for Housing Benefit that would help you pay for accommodation - I'm not sure if it's means tested, if it is then you might have to use your savings first until they come down to the level that allows benefits to be paid.

GothicStirling

First of all, I know what you are feeling, I have General Anxiety Disorder and suffered panic attacks in the past. Is there any reason that you would have to move out of your parents house?


I've learnt to use the feelings of anxiety as an alert system, and to head towards the problem, not retreat. Anxiety and panic feed on the unknown and the fear. Sit down and talk to your parents, talk to the CAB about benefits, and to your GP about the Panic Attacks.

dawyldthing

I'm wondering if you mean will your savings impact your parents money? As if they get housing benefit but you work then you will be liable for paying the rent if that is what you mean? But when in work you can do what you want with your money

ruddleman

My fear is gettin an advisor who was making people go to the library 6 days out of 7.
the margin for problems is so small e.g bank hols., technical issues with internet. I have to travel into the nearest library and it is sometimes chaos trying to get a computer.
I don'tthink you have a say in what goes into the "agreement" it seems like they are setting people up to fail.

Flyonthewall

ruddleman wrote: »

My fear is gettin an advisor who was making people go to the library 6 days out of 7.
the margin for problems is so small e.g bank hols., technical issues with internet. I have to travel into the nearest library and it is sometimes chaos trying to get a computer.
I don'tthink you have a say in what goes into the "agreement" it seems like they are setting people up to fail.

Can you not get a computer at home? You could probably pick up an old PC really cheap. Not great for anything else, but fine for job searching online. You can get cheap internet deals too.

You can argue your point.Tell them it's not that easy to get a computer. Agree to a reasonable number of jobs being applied for each week, not which days you're on a computer applying. On days when you're not using a computer go around shops and other places and hand in your CV and look at newspapers. Tell the advisor you'll be doing that and write it down in your job search diary.

They can tell you they expect you to job search daily, but they can't force to go the library daily and force your way onto a computer when they're busy. As long as you're clearly looking for work and applying for jobs you should be fine. Computers aren't the only option for finding work.

You're more likely to get an advisor who doesn't really care than one who's really mean. No point worrying about it until you see who you're dealing with. At which point, you can ask for a new advisor and you can have a word with the manager if needed. If they try to sanction you then you can appeal it.

I'm sure you have to sign to say you agree with what they've said and that you'll follow the agreement. You'll certainly discuss it with them. If something isn't possible or it's really difficult then say so. The agreement is there to make sure you're doing what you can to find work, it's not supposed to be a way to trick you or force you to fail.

I understand your anxiety and it's rubbish having to go to the Job Centre, but chances are you're getting anxious over nothing!