UC and working

@Redruby2020 If you're struggling with day to day tasks like bathing, cooking, cleaning then you could apply for PIP? Have you done that?

Is that the amount you receive in your bank?

@Redruby2020 for ESA there is a support group, where you don't work, and a work related activity group where they make you do courses and workshops and stuff. You can work on ESA upto 16 hrs a week but must declare it as it reduces your award sometimes.

I don't get the ESA thing, I know someone on that, I thought the fact the first letter stands for Employment? Meant it's about doing some work.
The person I know who gets that says she can't do anything.
In pain in the week when you would usually be at work, but if childcare is available, out every Friday and Saturday night dancing standing the whole time and going home 3/4am.

It's sounds like you should be on ESA or whatever the UC equivalent is, where they don't make you work at all. And maybe apply for PIP. You say you struggle to bathe, clean your home, cook etc..these are the things you can get PIP for.

I should add I have suffered stress related illness before: daily migraines, mouth ulcers panic attacks and all this resurfaced as a result of the incident. I managed to keep working. Can't thank my supervisor enough

Please, OP, speak to your employer! My situation is different: I'm on UC but deemed to be working enough so I don't have to look for work or attend jobcentre
Last month I had a horrible experience literally being chased down the street and harassed by a random crazy who ran off, then crept up behind me, run off again and horror of horrors reappeared on the bus I caught where he started again. I was in bits, got to work and they made me call the police. I called work (I'm contracted to a company who supply me to venue) as I was late clocking on. My supervisor has been AMAZING. pointed me in the direction of help, reassured me and just listened
Hope you heal soon

OP- just read out your initial post to the GP, they will take it from there.

You need to go onto your UC account, go to Report a change of circumstances and then health. You'll be able to report your current health, if you don't have a specific diagnosis, put worsening mental health, you'll be asked if your health affects your ability to work, say yes it does, you can self cert for 7 days, then you'll need a fit note from the GP.

A fit note for more than 28 days will prompt a referral for a work capability asked, but you'll also be able to discuss with your work coach what hours you can manage.

Was going to say what you covered in your reply.
This is good advice OP.

I think it's great you have continued to work no matter what. But taking on more is not possible for you.
The doctor can sign you off or I think on the Fit Note there is another option for limited work etc.
All in all hopefully then it will get you a work capability assessment.

Does your payslip show your hourly wage? Mine did even when salaried as public sector and on a pay grade.

Is that your wage before tax though? Does seem odd.

Yes, sorry, I think you're right. But checking the hourly rate is worth doing in any case

I'm pretty sure the AET equates to 18 x nmw.

If she's earning below minimum wage, that might explain why she isn't hitting the AET and its illegal to boot, but might explain the trigger for a meeting.

It should be 11.44. Is that your take home? But it sounds like you might not be earning enough for tax. Do you get payslips, they should show you, and they legally have to provide them.

Sorry to hear you're struggling. If you're working 16 hours a week I would have thought you would meet the AET and UC credit would not be on your case like this. I don't work as many hours as I should for the age of my child and nobody ever contacts me because my earnings are still above a certain amount.

You need to be earning less than 16x nmw a week before you can be assessed for limited capability for work. So it will depend what you are earning really. The exemption to this is if you have PIP in place. To stand a chance of being awarded you will really need to have medical evidence to support the extent of your difficulties and be receiving help from specialist MH professionals.

Don’t be ashamed. There are a lot of people in your position, either suffering with mental health or burnout from being ND. It’s not uncommon and you’re not alone. First step is recognition, which you are doing. To move forward you need to ask for help, maybe a support worker. I’d look at applying for pip if you can evidence that you are struggling with self care. This doesn’t mean you’re on benefits forever, if you can accept help then you can look at rebuilding yourself to the point where you can manage with work again.

In the meantime, do you have any motivators? Obviously your daughter, but little things? I have (undiagnosed) ADHD and my life/house can sometimes fall into chaos. The way I deal with it is to give myself extreme deadlines but treat myself when it’s done - even if it’s a slice of cake from the bakery! So if I blitz the living room I tell myself I’ve earned a couple of hours watching Netflix without that nagging guilt voice in my head. Little steps, but do ask for help because it will build a better life for you and your daughter.

Ah right.. that's both good and bad, in that support might have been signposted earlier but you've avoided colleagues commenting.

Just say to the GP what you've said here. They are there to help. If you think of it as doing it for your daughter, does that help?

Kindly, if you're not washing, your employer will have noticed. Good idea to get in the bath after your daughter.

If you look after your daughter, do you run her a bath? Get in it after her. Its a start in terms of getting yourself clean and cared for. If you can even rinse your hair in the water its a start.

Also - see if your employer offers any support. Lots of companies now offer mental health support and have helplines or champions available who can support you