Universal Credit

"Many people at the word ""credit"" immediately imagine interest payments, overpayments, etc. I used to be skeptical about it until I figured it all out. I used Mortgage Advice Hull because I had often been recommended to this broker. The specialists here matched the program to my capabilities, and they, unfortunately, are not the best. To be more precise, it was a universal loan. Simply put, it's a universal help for citizens. Such a benefit was designed to reduce red tape when applying for social assistance from the state. The universal credit benefit is paid only in our country (Great Britain), and there is no need to pay back the money to the state."

You’re making great progress at tackling this and turning it around. You sound more positive - it’s good that you’re able to see some positives and focus on those. Social isolation is such an difficult thing to cope with. My son was like this in college (he’s temporarily left because of this) - to be in a place full of people but always isolated on your own is emotionally so upsetting and draining, and damages self esteem. I wish people were kinder and try to gently involve and include people who are so obviously isolated and lonely. 

‘their targets of sanctioning individuals’ - isn’t that horrendous? What a horrible system.

This sounds like great advice Blue. I hope it helps you Mat. I think you need to do everything you can to get some breathing space from all the pressure that is on you. 

The system is cruel - and it’s terrible for people with autism and/or mental health problems. The thought of my son being in the clutches of the job centre terrifies me - which is why I’m encouraging him to stay in education for as long as I can (although he’s finding that hugely difficult too). 

Hi Mat - have you spoken to your GP about your health issues? And have you been to an optician about your eyesight? And if so what did they say? I think they are the place to start to try and get some clarity on what is happening to you. I’m so sorry that you are feeling like this. I am experiencing very bad anxiety at the moment and severe anxiety can produce some of the symptoms you are experiencing (and you are undoubtedly experiencing severe stress and anxiety, I would talk to your GP if you feel able to. Have you got good support from family to help you with this? 

I have now asked for a full disclosure of my NHS medical records today through email so hopefully they get back to me on Tuesday.

I've never actually seen my actual medical records so that'll be interesting.

Pretty sure the autism diagnoses would be there and my Mum wouldn't lie or be misinformed about that of course. Myself I've never seen an actual physical piece of paper stating I have Autism. I was told at 14 and that was that since then. 

I found out about a biological Dad who I didn't even knew existed at around 12/13 through a mis placed piece of paper regarding biological dads payment information to her.

But can't imagine she'd pull a bigger mistruth on me

I obviously remember the assessments I went to for the diagnoses/assessment in retrospect. I'm not sure I was aware I was being assessed for autism at the time to be honest. I remember the last day I saw a guy/doctor who I felt uneasy about and who took some sort of disliking to me and me him. Going off track now though. Best just to wait and see actual documents.

Awesome the DWP will now be aware of your situation, the journal is a handy tool to put things on you need them to know, but cant explain when at the review as the mask slips on and we all start to nod . Ask them about courses they offer that interest you
It has been said on this forum a lot but GO easy on yourself & tackle one thing at a time , Hard to do I know but it is probably the best advice I have been given from other people on this forum.

  Last year I wanted to boost my confidence so applied at the local collage to undertake maths level 2 FS and an Autism awareness course at level2 , Both have been great as It has been my doing and not from a 3rd party , It has not been easy being a 50 something in a collage full of teens but I have my routes and just wear big black sunglasses and earphones.

Did your mum get a report from the NHS when you were diagnosed as this is what the DWP will need , If not your medical records should have history of diagnosis.

haha 

MatBurns91 said:

Going in circles

I call it 

walking in a new la manche canal in a middle of my room to pay a visit to a neighbour <-- joke

about true need,

pacing make it easier to endure anxiety

MatBurns91 said:

some annoying auto-correction with my phone.

this website isn't adapated for mobile browsers

Hi thanks for the advice

The good news is that I got on my journal yesterday and was honest and said I was not feeling well and that I am beginning to make phone calls and seek help and I'll speak to GP next week hopefully and the work coach responded positively and didn't sanction me and I've been booked for next appointment in two weeks.

I can't fault the job centre/work coach so far. It's early days but hopefully as long as I work hard to at least speak with people a bit more I'll he OK. Easier said than done sometimes but for now I move on. 

I'm so sorry to hear of you're knee by the way and honestly it makes no sense DWP would force you back into work in the condition you describe. 

I did mention a WCA in my journal to the work coach, and was told that will only happen after I've been issued a sick note first, which as yet I've not been.

I have said I definitely want to work and feel given some time and speaking to people and getting some extra support it will happen sooner rather than later. I've got no issue actually working on a computer, it's my relative strong skill. I get interviews. I secure some jobs, my CV shows that. Problem is I can't at moment stay employed longer than 4 or 5 months, since 2018 that is. I was employed for 7 straight years at ASDA but since then I've been in a constant triad of jobs. At least I've kept getting jobs but my reliability is starting to look questionable to new employers the more this continues. It's going to be questioned and I would have to explain around it. That's always going to be worrying when I'm being interviewed. It's stressful enough dealing with interviews. Rejection is common. I don't want to work retail but I seem to know where else I could realistically go for. I don't have much in way of qualifications and being I'm now in my 30s the support is not quite there like it is for under 25s I guess. Apprenticeships I like the idea. But I don't have my English and Maths uo to standard.

I can do this it's just I need to somehow rebuild my confidence and somehow find a way to improve my social skills and get back out the house more. I hate it really. I don't won't to be a loner and it's like I'm my worst enemy. So weird and draining. I've been looking after myself now for 4 years as my Mum is not actually living with me, she's away long term living with and taking care of my Step Nan who's vulnerable and needs daily support. So basically I spend every day waking up, empty house, nobody to talk to and I find it hard to get moving. Only I can change this I'm told and it's correct of course. I don't know what I'm good at either. 

I honestly would want to work probably for MetOffice or something but I'm no good with numbers lol so I stick to looking for warehouse work and retail which is kind my default thing even though this is probably not exactly an ideal job sector sometimes. Customer service.. serving customers face to face.. doesn't work for me. I can be an order picker in online. Again, issue is I think I suffer some form of sensory overload and spending 12 hours all day working and not talking to anyone and coming home to emptiness.. it's tough mentally. That was mozt recently at Amazon. Massive place. LOADS of walking. Loads of people. My god its a maze and sometimes I'd definitely start feeling a bit overloaded by it all after a few days of that. It's whereas everyone around me has their 'groups', I am of course on my own at every stage. 

Fundamentally I am so confused how to change course.

I'm just in a horrible rut right now and as said feel constantly burnt out. Going in circles. I need to break than circle. I've been on a gradual slide in recent years and feel sorry for myself too much. Its embarrassing sometimes. I can't change the past or change who I am and I know there are people far worse positions than me despite my issues.

Thanks everyone for your advice

First I would talk to stepchange and get the money problem attended to , I did this with a DRO last year , It is easy to set up as they will send a big pack to guide you and you can talk to them for help, They are very nice people .


The DWP on the other hand is a whole different ballgame , Request a  limited capability assessment or get 3 sick notes in a row from your gp and then they will automatically make an assessment appointment for you 

I have been volunteered! for the seetec work and health program, and they seem to think I will be back in work in 15months, despite the fact I damaged my knee badly last year and waiting for injections for the pain as the nerve has been damaged and difficult to walk , Also ongoing diagnosis for hearing loss and dizzy spells and waiting for MRI scan results.
I had the work  limited capability assessment and im ok to look for work despite I cant hear anything on my left side and hobble around in short bursts. I could ask for reconsideration but will probably just go back to my gp for another sick note.

confidence is a muse hard to catch

thank you for taking it in with moderation

I'd take it as a compliment sure. It's definitely from the heart and articulated to my best ability. Not withstanding some annoying auto-correction with my phone. Not the best device to use I know. 

You're poem is really touching actually and I am grateful I had some effect on you at least. I'm not very confident right now to say the least, so I'll take any compliment I'm given.

Hey Mat

I wanted to tell you that ( depending how you look at it ) your posts might have positive ( inspiring in this instance ) effect on someone, reading them felt like deja vu and it made me come up with a poem, romantic poets style, so not a happy one, but still.... 

if there is someone thinking it's to discouraging i'll delete it

      Awful truth

Botomless sadness drowns me today

To see my mirror image strangled

In his unwilingness to give up

to his last breath trying futily reach out

His calls for help returned like an echo

words sharp as razor cuting my heart open

bleeding out knowing the awful truth

neither his nor mine are to be answered

MatBurns91 said:

I was diagnosed with Autism sometime around 13 or 14 but I have no idea how I would get medical 'proof'. Would I have to ask a GP for this in the NHS? I mean I'd assume I would? 

How to get your medical records:

https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/about-the-nhs/how-to-get-your-medical-records/

MatBurns91 said:

Being I've never been sanctioned before I don't know how severe it would be.. would it be all money for the current assessment period or some percentage?

Universal Credit: Sanctions:

"If you fail to do what you have agreed in your Claimant Commitment without good reason, your Universal Credit payments may be reduced for a set period. This is known as a sanction."

https://www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk/already-claimed/sanctions/

I was diagnosed with Autism sometime around 13 or 14 but I have no idea how I would get medical 'proof'. Would I have to ask a GP for this in the NHS? I mean I'd assume I would? 

Being I've never been sanctioned before I don't know how severe it would be.. would it be all money for the current assessment period or some percentage?

Being sanctioned is a possibility, my concern is that you haven't submitted evidence of having autism which would back your need for additional support and adaptations being made. Job centres from my experience are malicious and deliberately not inform you of support or help in order to hit their targets of sanctioning individuals.

By submitting and providing a record of autism spectrum disorder or a mental health diagnosis to them their are less likely to be able to sanction you. At the minuet your an easy target for the work coach to fulfill their quote of sanctions or referrals.

I would speak up, but i wouldn't do it without having someone who can back you up. The work coach is less likely to give you the runaround or miss inform you and if they do you have someone who can bear witness. Do not speak up alone, You'll get nowhere.   

Thank you for this. I am just so anxious about being honest or being not believed. Sounds weird but I just end up nodding and agreeing to anything I'm told but I will try to speak up. My worry I suppose is being sanctioned. Should I really worry about this or risk it?

Or do both?

I would skip the GP and request a 'Needs Assessment' through the local authority