Hi there,
Just like between 16% and 22% of autistic adults I'm long term unemployed. I'm on universal credit and have to go into the job centre once every two weeks to prove I'm looking for work etc. I live rent free with my mum but she is past retirement age and still working full time because she simply cannot afford to retire or even reduce her hours with me still living at home.
I can't understand what the other people who fall into this category live on? There's obviously a vast number of perfectly capable autistic adults who are also out of work long term. Are they all on universal credit too? We all know that's not enough to live on. Is there anyone else in a similar situation?
I can't spend the rest of my life going into the job centre every couple of weeks to report that once again I've had no luck getting a job. It's costing the tax payer, it's driving my mum into the ground, and I'm severely depressed because of it.
I've heard of people getting a late diagnosis (in their twenties) and all of a sudden they were housed and had benefits thrown at them. I just can't understand why there are some people who are given housing etc and others who are given nothing at all. Of course I understand there are people on the more severe end of the spectrum who require assisted living.
I have absolutely no one to ask about these things as since my diagnosis, like most others, there's been radio silence. Absolutely nothing at all from anyone. I thought a diagnosis would mean access to more support but it's left me even more lost and confused than before!
