I need a diagnosis and a job!

congratulations shoekittten on taking control of things, its not an easy thing to do but you did it

making a new start is quite scary but thats why most people dont do it, you did so i think whatever happens you are able to deal with it, of course you will have doubts but those doubts shouldnt stop you getting on with your life

i am sorry its having physical affects on you because of stress, my partner gets that way too with stress 

unfortunately with the dss i dont have any positive things to say,i can only hope it goes well for you

youve had a lot of good advice here so i dont have much to offer, just the emotional support 

i will say, i understand why your dreadding it, they are a very formidable 'people' as i said i dont have anything positive to say, so i understand why it makes you feel this way, it makes most people feel that way, but thats what they like, so you go in there, and you just do your best, stuff what theythink about you or autism or how 'shifty' you seem, you are there to do something , for yourself, so thats what matters

the first thing you do if it helps is explain you have autism so your communcation skills are not very good, apologise for any confusion you might cause 

basically the more you get them on your good side, then more they will be willing to listen and help,

if you are likely to forget what you want to say, write it down and take it with you to remind you and help you, and just point out that you get forgetfull when you are stressed so brought this with you 

try not to stress over it, i know that seems like a pointless thing to say, but seriously the one thing i learned , having severe anxiety myself and my partners stress, is its not worth it, things will go as they go and you can only do your best

do things that relax you more to help, and prepare, thats it, thats all you can do

I know what you mean. I am moving into my own flat and am applying for housing benefit and all sorts of other things. I am very stressed at the moment and seem to cry more than usual - a sign of stress and lack of sleep. You do just want to curl up at times like this.

I have been refused ESA and told I only qualify for contribution based support.
Not nearly enough to live on and I have to undertake a medical assessment which has made me sick with worry.
I also have to go to the council to apply for housing benefit and council tax benefit. I AM DREADING THIS. I get all tongue tied and look shifty because eye contact is difficult, I get my words mixed up and forget what I need to say.
Since all this info overload and stress I now have severe abdominal pain and feel headachey and nauseous.
I'd be better off dying and save all the hassle!!!!

Thank you Scorpion0x17.

I rang the Jobcentre today and made my claim over the phone as I felt too anxious to have a face to face appointment.

The girl on the phone seemed nice ( and she was Scottish) it took 45 minutes to go over all my details. I'm afraid I had to keep hunting for paperwork during the interview as I didn't know in advance what I would need.

She said I will have to fill in a questionnaire next then attend further interviews and possibly take a medical assessment next.

Any relief I had at the claim being formally lodged has melted away now at the thought of the hoops I will have to jump through next.

Have any of you dealt with this and can you offer any advice please?

Brilliant advice, thank you.

I shall find my nearest job centre and make an appointment ,bearing all of this in mind.

Yes, you'll definitely be entitled to benefits, shoekitten - everyone is!

Go to your local JobCenter Plus for more information.

You'll have two choices of what you want to apply for (though they may assume you want to apply for the one (or may even choose not to tell you about the other)):

• JSA - meant for anyone who is actively seeking, and has no impediment to, work.
• ESA - meant for anyone who can not, or has some impediment to, work.

The difference between the two is (A) how much pressure you will be put under to find a job, and (B) how much money you'll recieve.

If you won't be able to cope with having to 'sign on' every two weeks, and be put under a lot of pressure to apply for jobs, may get sent on wholly inappropriate, but mandatory (at the risk of not getting any benefit), courses, and possibly being forced to take a job that you either don't want or which would not be suitable for you, then you should not apply for JSA.

Apply instead for ESA.

The one difficulty you may have with applying for ESA, though, is not having a formal diagnosis, so look to getting that sorted ASAP (you can still get ESA without a formal diagnosis, it just makes the process much harder).

You should also be entitled to Housing Benefit (or help with paying your mortgage) - again, ask at the JobCenter about that.

Does anyone know if I could be entitled to any state benefits? I have paid into the system all my life and have no experience of the benefits system. I don't know where to begin.

I'm having trouble coping with all the changes at the moment.

New town, new house, lack of routine and worry about not having a job and subsequently no income.

I moved here and left my job hoping to find a better, less stressful way of life away from bullies and people who think I'm weird. Now I'm seriously doubting my judgement but can't go back.

Luckily this area is beautiful and wallks by the sea keep me calm. But serenity won't pay my rent.
 

Thank you saraip!

I will certainly check this option out.