Schemes to help people into work?

[Deleted User]

I have never applied for benefits before but I'm running out of savings and could do with knowing if there is a support scheme that can help people to get into and stay in work. A scheme that works with you to find suitable employment, (so for me I wouldn't last a second in retail) a scheme that could keep in touch with both you and the employer, a scheme that could potentially notify employers of your problems etc Similarly with the few temporary jobs I have actually had, none of them knew my circumstances so could never make reasonable adjustments in order for me to worry less about work related issues. No amount of preparation can help me pass a simple interview process for example due to nerves (the temp jobs required you to sign a form then be contacted). The social sided issues would sadly remain in 99% of jobs. I worry if I apply for Universal Credit Jobseekers I will be sanctioned within the first couple of weeks for failing to attend a group session or refusing to apply for a advised job position I simply can't do.

The rest of this is me rambling, skip if you want.

I have social anxiety and low self-esteem so I struggle with the whole face to face contact, having conversations, I worry about what people think or worry about how I'll embarrass myself next. It takes me a while to learn some things. (even simple tasks) I'm immature for my age and feel like I need help with everything. I'm guessing you get the picture. I have never actually been diagnosed with anything as of yet but I have seen a social worker, a family psychologist, 2 therapists and the Doctor is also aware that I have spent most of my time indoors for the past 15 years. He's offered me sicknotes everytime I get into contact, but I refuse them. Believe it or not I have actually worked in the past in temporary positions and performed well once I understood what I was doing, I always got my head down and got on with my work, co-workers obviously found me weird, same with the management team overseeing our group, some of which made it known, even with confidence within my work I still struggled to cope with the social side and fear of change so I either left or was let go when the work dried up, then ignored the calls when the agencies rang to ask me if I would be willing to comeback. I also had to rely on a family member to get me to and from work depending on distance, otherwise I walked. Being confined and worrying about having to speak to somebody on public transport makes me avoid it, the same applies to everything. I have had troubles ever since childhood, just most of it isn't well documented in medical records and what not..Sorry for rambling or making very little sense...

poppy12345

Deleted_User said:

 I worry if I apply for Universal Credit Jobseekers I will be sanctioned within the first couple of weeks for failing to attend a group session or refusing to apply for a advised job position I simply can't do.

Sounds like a fit note from your GP maybe needed here, to start off the limited capability for work process off.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/claiming/getting-universal-credit-if-youre-sick-or-disabled/

Of course as it's a means tested benefit then claiming this will depend on your circumstances. If you live with a partner then you need to claim as a couple and if they work it will depend on their earnings received during your monthly assessment period.  Savings/capital of £16,000 and over will exclude you from claiming.

There's also New style ESA but claiming this will depend on your NI contributions from working in tax years April to March 2017/18 and April to March 2018/19. It's not means tested but you'll need a fit note from your GP to be able to claim this.

Spoonie_Turtle

Sick notes are now called Fit Notes - i.e. they can either day you are not fit for work, or you are fit for work but only if xyz accommodations/adjustments are made. (For UC I don't know if you need it to say you're not fit for work.)

If you claim UC and are assessed as having Limited Capability for Work then you will possibly be required to do work preparation activities, but these should be suitable for you taking into account your health condition(s). If you are assessed as having Limited Capacity for Work and work-Related Activity, you won't be required to do anything - but it doesn't mean you are not allowed to work, it just means you can do anything on your own terms without any pressure.

As for schemes, your local Jobcentre should know. If you have any local disability advice services they might be able to point you in the right direction too. Of course with Covid everything is up in the air but it does mean face-to-face assessments for UC work capability are suspended, and done over the phone instead for now. I'm not 100% sure but I don't think they require face-to-face appointments at the Jobcentre yet for claiming UC either.


As your health affects your ability to interact with people and go out, have you looked at claiming PIP? 
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/
https://www.gov.uk/pip/eligibility
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-assessment-guide-for-assessment-providers/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-the-assessment-criteria

[Deleted User]

poppy12345 said:

Sounds like a fit note from your GP maybe needed here, to start off the limited capability for work process off.

Of course as it's a means tested benefit then claiming this will depend on your circumstances. If you live with a partner then you need to claim as a couple and if they work it will depend on their earnings received during your monthly assessment period.  Savings/capital of £16,000 and over will exclude you from claiming.

There's also New style ESA but claiming this will depend on your NI contributions from working in tax years April to March 2017/18 and April to March 2018/19. It's not means tested but you'll need a fit note from your GP to be able to claim this.

Getting my hands on a fit note shouldn't be an issue. Besides the occasional temp work I have been housebound for years. The Doctor is already aware of my problems.

I'm single but still live at home with the parents. The last time I left the house was late 2017 so no NI contributions have been paid since. My working history is so patchy which makes it even more difficult to secure any employment through interviews, how do you even begin to explain all the long gaps? Since officially leaving education I have probably paid 18 months worth of NI in 9 years which is terrible.

Spoonie_Turtle said:

Sick notes are now called Fit Notes - i.e. they can either day you are not fit for work, or you are fit for work but only if xyz accommodations/adjustments are made. (For UC I don't know if you need it to say you're not fit for work.)

If you claim UC and are assessed as having Limited Capability for Work then you will possibly be required to do work preparation activities, but these should be suitable for you taking into account your health condition(s). If you are assessed as having Limited Capacity for Work and work-Related Activity, you won't be required to do anything - but it doesn't mean you are not allowed to work, it just means you can do anything on your own terms without any pressure.

As for schemes, your local Jobcentre should know. If you have any local disability advice services they might be able to point you in the right direction too. Of course with Covid everything is up in the air but it does mean face-to-face assessments for UC work capability are suspended, and done over the phone instead for now. I'm not 100% sure but I don't think they require face-to-face appointments at the Jobcentre yet for claiming UC either.

As your health affects your ability to interact with people and go out, have you looked at claiming PIP?

I will get the ball rolling the second I can get a fit note then. I feel like I can work I just need some extra support getting into and staying in employment due to my lack of work history and poor social skills. Things would be so much easier if every company knew beforehand I would be really nervous going into interviews and also fearful of changes in the workplace (job role change with no say for example) that sends me into a panic, I thret over it long before it becomes reality. as long as I'm never thrown in at the deep end it could be manageable.

Which benefit do I actually have to apply for Universal Credit or ESA?

PIP is probably unnecessary. I never really venture out anywhere that's social, PIP payments or no PIP that' wouldn't change. It's doubtful I will ever be able to improve socially, but with help working is a possibility.

poppy12345

Deleted_User said:

poppy12345 said:

Sounds like a fit note from your GP maybe needed here, to start off the limited capability for work process off.

Of course as it's a means tested benefit then claiming this will depend on your circumstances. If you live with a partner then you need to claim as a couple and if they work it will depend on their earnings received during your monthly assessment period.  Savings/capital of £16,000 and over will exclude you from claiming.

There's also New style ESA but claiming this will depend on your NI contributions from working in tax years April to March 2017/18 and April to March 2018/19. It's not means tested but you'll need a fit note from your GP to be able to claim this.

Getting my hands on a fit note shouldn't be an issue. Besides the occasional temp work I have been housebound for years. The Doctor is already aware of my problems.

I'm single but still live at home with the parents. The last time I left the house was late 2017 so no NI contributions have been paid since. My working history is so patchy which makes it even more difficult to secure any employment through interviews, how do you even begin to explain all the long gaps? Since officially leaving education I have probably paid 18 months worth of NI in 9 years which is terrible.

Spoonie_Turtle said:

Sick notes are now called Fit Notes - i.e. they can either day you are not fit for work, or you are fit for work but only if xyz accommodations/adjustments are made. (For UC I don't know if you need it to say you're not fit for work.)

If you claim UC and are assessed as having Limited Capability for Work then you will possibly be required to do work preparation activities, but these should be suitable for you taking into account your health condition(s). If you are assessed as having Limited Capacity for Work and work-Related Activity, you won't be required to do anything - but it doesn't mean you are not allowed to work, it just means you can do anything on your own terms without any pressure.

As for schemes, your local Jobcentre should know. If you have any local disability advice services they might be able to point you in the right direction too. Of course with Covid everything is up in the air but it does mean face-to-face assessments for UC work capability are suspended, and done over the phone instead for now. I'm not 100% sure but I don't think they require face-to-face appointments at the Jobcentre yet for claiming UC either.

As your health affects your ability to interact with people and go out, have you looked at claiming PIP?

Which benefit do I actually have to apply for Universal Credit or ESA?

With no NI contributions paid then it will be Universal Credit you'll need to claim and this can be online.

https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/how-to-claim

I'd also agree to the advice about looking at claiming PIP, even if younever go out to socialise.

Spoonie_Turtle

Deleted_User said:

poppy12345 said:

Sounds like a fit note from your GP maybe needed here, to start off the limited capability for work process off.

Of course as it's a means tested benefit then claiming this will depend on your circumstances. If you live with a partner then you need to claim as a couple and if they work it will depend on their earnings received during your monthly assessment period.  Savings/capital of £16,000 and over will exclude you from claiming.

There's also New style ESA but claiming this will depend on your NI contributions from working in tax years April to March 2017/18 and April to March 2018/19. It's not means tested but you'll need a fit note from your GP to be able to claim this.

Getting my hands on a fit note shouldn't be an issue. Besides the occasional temp work I have been housebound for years. The Doctor is already aware of my problems.

I'm single but still live at home with the parents. The last time I left the house was late 2017 so no NI contributions have been paid since. My working history is so patchy which makes it even more difficult to secure any employment through interviews, how do you even begin to explain all the long gaps? Since officially leaving education I have probably paid 18 months worth of NI in 9 years which is terrible.

Spoonie_Turtle said:

Sick notes are now called Fit Notes - i.e. they can either day you are not fit for work, or you are fit for work but only if xyz accommodations/adjustments are made. (For UC I don't know if you need it to say you're not fit for work.)

If you claim UC and are assessed as having Limited Capability for Work then you will possibly be required to do work preparation activities, but these should be suitable for you taking into account your health condition(s). If you are assessed as having Limited Capacity for Work and work-Related Activity, you won't be required to do anything - but it doesn't mean you are not allowed to work, it just means you can do anything on your own terms without any pressure.

As for schemes, your local Jobcentre should know. If you have any local disability advice services they might be able to point you in the right direction too. Of course with Covid everything is up in the air but it does mean face-to-face assessments for UC work capability are suspended, and done over the phone instead for now. I'm not 100% sure but I don't think they require face-to-face appointments at the Jobcentre yet for claiming UC either.

As your health affects your ability to interact with people and go out, have you looked at claiming PIP?

I will get the ball rolling the second I can get a fit note then. I feel like I can work I just need some extra support getting into and staying in employment due to my lack of work history and poor social skills. Things would be so much easier if every company knew beforehand I would be really nervous going into interviews and also fearful of changes in the workplace (job role change with no say for example) that sends me into a panic, I thret over it long before it becomes reality. as long as I'm never thrown in at the deep end it could be manageable.

Which benefit do I actually have to apply for Universal Credit or ESA?

PIP is probably unnecessary. I never really venture out anywhere that's social, PIP payments or no PIP that' wouldn't change. It's doubtful I will ever be able to improve socially, but with help working is a possibility.

As Poppy said, UC is the one to claim.

You said your savings are running out, so PIP would be an extra bit of income you can save or use on whatever you wanted. But maybe it would be easier to get UC out of the way first and then maybe consider applying for PIP at your leisure (It's a lot less stressful if you're applying something without actively *needing* it at the time, so you're then not overly worried about whatever length of time it might take to get the right outcome.)

calcotti

When you claim UC you will get Class 3 NI credits to count toward some future State Pension entitlement.

[Deleted User]

I managed to fill in most of the claim today, just become unstuck at the part where you must use an existing government gateway account or create a new one. I already have one, but the referral link from the Universal Account keeps saying redirecting whenever I put my credentials in and click login, tried to clear the browser cache and also used some cleaning software, it's not having any of it. Yet I can login via the main site with no issues. 

Once I get this claim through I might luck into PIP. I still want to find some services / schemes that may be able to go that one step further and help me into work too, so I'll have to have a look around or contact the Job Centre if I can get through as suggested above, I was hoping one of the benefits could provide that support.