Published on 12, July, 2020
I've recently had all my benefits stopped and have been told I have to find a job. I haven't had a job in over 10 years and even just thinking about it makes me feel sick and anxious. I can't even bring myself to look at a job search website, let alone go to the job centre, go to interviews or......go to work!! What am I supposed to do? I have no money coming in at all now. I could in theory apply for job seekers allowance but I know I'd be kicked off of it almost straight away because I wouldn't be able to apply for all the jobs they tell me too. I'm feeling abandoned by the system and completely without help. Almost feel like I'm being punished for having ASD :(
grahame22 said:The essence of what I was told is that although I have ASD, because I am still physically fit and able to understand commands and act on them, I am in theory capable of some work. They seem to have completely ignored or underplayed the severity of my anxiety. I guess they are techincally right, but the problem is it's likelly to take a very long time for me to find a job that is suitable, and in the mean time I'm left with absolutely no money. Yes I've been to citizens advice, who told me to go to the job centre and speak to a disability employment advisor. I did that and they said I should go to the St Loyes foundation. I went to them and they said they can try and help me but not until November. I went back to the job center and the only other suggestion they had was that I go on job seekers allowance, although I had it explained that this would not likelly work out well for me as I'd be kicked off of it if I didn't apply for every job they told me too. In principle I like the idea of having a job. I just have to find one that's going to be work with me, not against me. I know that's going to take a long time to find
The essence of what I was told is that although I have ASD, because I am still physically fit and able to understand commands and act on them, I am in theory capable of some work. They seem to have completely ignored or underplayed the severity of my anxiety. I guess they are techincally right, but the problem is it's likelly to take a very long time for me to find a job that is suitable, and in the mean time I'm left with absolutely no money.
Yes I've been to citizens advice, who told me to go to the job centre and speak to a disability employment advisor. I did that and they said I should go to the St Loyes foundation. I went to them and they said they can try and help me but not until November. I went back to the job center and the only other suggestion they had was that I go on job seekers allowance, although I had it explained that this would not likelly work out well for me as I'd be kicked off of it if I didn't apply for every job they told me too.
In principle I like the idea of having a job. I just have to find one that's going to be work with me, not against me. I know that's going to take a long time to find
Which is precisely why they should have put you in the Work-Related Activity Group, such as they did with me. That way, you'd have the pressure off that you'd normally have on JSA. It still doesn't make any sense. They can't leave you stranded with nothing. It's not as if you don't want to work - AND you have a certified diagnosis of a condition that could limit what you are able to do.
Have you researched other benefits? Are you still eligible to appeal the decision?