Please, help me if you can?

RonCs

I’m now 22 and I left school at 17. I live with my parents, so I could get away with part time jobs as I don’t have to pay them too much, about £300 a month. But about a year ago I began a full time job because the NHS refused to do a knee surgery I desperately need. Unfortunately I can’t keep working in this place anymore because I’m highly allergic to dust and I have proofs to prove it. About 6 months ago, I also began home studying IGCSEs and A-levels because I’m planning to go to university in the next two years. At the moment I’m self studying 2 days a week and go to work 5 but I’m falling behind and some of the exams dates, already booked, are coming near so here is another reason why I can’t keep working where I’m working at the moment. I never claimed benefits. If I left my current work, due to my allergy to dust and due to taking too much of my time, that I need for studying, would I be able to claim and receive Universal Credit as I will still need to pay £300 a month to my parents? Or will they say that I’m not entitled to it because I left the job myself and I didn’t get fired? I know they will want me to find another job so would I be allowed to try to find a 3 days job so that I would be able to keep studying? Or will they want me to find a full time job, regardless the need of having 4 days without work so that I can keep studying?

custardy

RonCs wrote: »

I’m now 22 and I left school at 17. I live with my parents, so I could get away with part time jobs as I don’t have to pay them too much, about £300 a month. But about a year ago I began a full time job because the NHS refused to do a knee surgery I desperately need. Unfortunately I can’t keep working in this place anymore because I’m highly allergic to dust and I have proofs to prove it. About 6 months ago, I also began home studying IGCSEs and A-levels because I’m planning to go to university in the next two years. At the moment I’m self studying 2 days a week and go to work 5 but I’m falling behind and some of the exams dates, already booked, are coming near so here is another reason why I can’t keep working where I’m working at the moment. I never claimed benefits. If I left my current work, due to my allergy to dust and due to taking too much of my time, that I need for studying, would I be able to claim and receive Universal Credit as I will still need to pay £300 a month to my parents? Or will they say that I’m not entitled to it because I left the job myself and I didn’t get fired? I know they will want me to find another job so would I be allowed to try to find a 3 days job so that I would be able to keep studying? Or will they want me to find a full time job, regardless the need of having 4 days without work so that I can keep studying?

You are a student.
You are unemployed
You are medically unfit.

You cant really have all 3. Im no expert but I dont see you getting suport in this manner.

[Deleted User]

Can you take antihistamines? Get advice from your GP. I have problems with allergies (to I know not what) quite frequently, and manage only by taking antihistamines. My GP knows this, has given me some antiallergy medication but while it helps, it doesn't help enough.

Wear a mask at work? Change jobs/areas you work in? Hospitals aren't as clean as they once were but not normally that dusty. I can't hoover under beds when dusty, but can do the rest of the house and know what to get inventive about before doing.

It looks like you have overcommitted yourself with the studying.
Study as hard as you can (evenings/weekends), look at your study schedule (speak to tutors), prioritise, then see what you pass and fail, and will have to retake exams if you fail them. It might mean putting university off for a while.

Could your parents reduce what you pay?

I know this is everything but what you asked, but I'd be trying all these things first before giving up work.

We don't know why the NHS refused to operate on your knee? I had years of being told I didn't have arthritis until someone finally took some bloods and they found that I did in fact have rheumatoid arthritis, and quite seriously. I must have heard every 'pain is only in the mind' theory in existence. Insane but it was only me constantly going back and reasking for referrals I finally broke through the 'no' barrier. Would asking for another referral/second opinion help?

If all else fails, you can study and claim ESA, but get advice before leaving work. I assume you aren't studying from a college. You could go to a college and get advice on a way forward. Contact Student Services and ask for an interview at your local college. Again, you might have to speak to your parents about your financial commitments.

Alice_Holt

The standard UC amount for under 25's is c.£252 pm.
https://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/Universal-Credit-Rates

You would be expected to look for full time work:
https://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/Universal-Credit-Rates

it is very likely there would be a sanction
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/sanctions/check-sanction/

Can you find part time work in another job?

w06

Don’t quite get your reasoning here as you seem to be throwing lots of reasons out there why you don’t want to work:

Something with your knee, but the way you ve written that was why you went full time ?
Dust allergy (hugely common)
Wanting to have more time to study
Not needing to earn much because your parents support you

None of those are likely to be accepted as reasons you can’t work and so if you quit you’ll be likely sanctioned and when the sanction is lifted you’ll still only receive the £250 odd a month and be expected to look for work 35 hours a week.

huckster

The answer must be medication and dust masks.

Allergies are not just a work issue. If the dust/pollution issue is a real problem, then you would have difficulty leaving a controlled environment, Your house would have been modified to reduce dust levels.

And going away to University is going to be very difficult for someone with such health issues.

The answer must be to take all relevant measures to be able to live as normal a life as possible. This means maintaining work, so you have money to help you to be able to move forward with your plans for the future. Speak to your Doctors, to see if they can help you keep being active and working.

FBaby

I suffer from a severe dustmites allergy, ever in that without medication, I wouldn't be able to have a normal life. The right medication taken daily controls it well. It sounds like you are looking for an excuse to leave your job. You won't go far with this excuse.

Caz3121

RonCs wrote: »

regardless the need of having 4 days without work so that I can keep studying?

Is there no way you can use your holiday entitlement to take time off to catch up with your study. Study and work together is not unusual (I studied full time whilst working full time - shift work)
Are you currently looking for alternative work?

calcotti

Benefits Board: For help and support NOT JUDGEMENT.