What happens if UC want you to work but you can’t get a job?

[Whatisthereason]

What actually happens if you do the required amount of work related activities, attend interviews of you manage to get any but just never get offered a job?
If this goes on for years what actually happens ?

@Mrsttcno1 do you work in a jobcentre? As that's definitely not my experience (disclaimer: I also don't work in a jobcentre). I find it very hard to believe that work coaches will be calling up employers, there's no way they have time for that. In an ideal world they would have time but they definitely don't.

This is my friend's son. Autistic but fairly high functioning (ie, can drive) but needs constant support and direction. He currently receives DLA (haven't migrated to PIP yet here), but really WANTS a job. There just aren't any he can do without having someone standing behind him all day telling him what to do.

If this person is effectively saying 'I want to spend 14 hours a day gaming and don't have time for anything else' then yes, I would assume sanctions will come in at some point.

If this person did a few months of consistent voluntary charity work- like at a food bank or hospice etc and he could put that on CV - it might show he can do some sort of work. Would he be inspired to help others?

It sounds like they've restricted themselves on purpose so they can't get work. They'll be sanctioned.

The problem is I think anywhere that he did that would not be able to facilitate that as he needs support or he will just make things harder for them. I suppose depending on day/time I could go as well but that’s all very well then having that on a cv to help get a job but I can’t exactly then go to a job with him if he got one so I’m really at a loss as to what to do. I’m hoping the support application doesn’t take as long as 20 weeks and that they can help us

Part of my current role is assisting people in getting back in to work, CMS claims, looking at what they may be entitled to & assisting with those things (and I love the job!). Work coaches in general do not check on things in this way, but if they have somebody who has sat for a long period of time without getting any job offer despite sending out large amounts of CV’s and attending interviews they absolutely can and do check in with employers. This can be more than anything else to allow for the individual to receive better/more thorough support whether it is a weakness in a CV or whether they need further prep for interviews or indeed whether there are reasonable adjustments which could be required for interviews to help the succeed (e.g. maybe feedback suggests the person struggled to answer in time or come up with an answer at all so you can then request interview questions to be given in advance). It’s to provide additional support for those who need it but it does also highlight people who simply attend interviews and then say “I don’t want the job” and those people can then be sanctioned.

Doing some volunteering would help with the cv.

But surely he could try?

I think the question is what would he do if there were no benefits? Would he a) make more of an effort with CV and interview and subsequently find a job or b) become destitute because he genuinely cannot.

If (a), he needs to do that.
If (b), then go down the limited capability for work route

I think it would be b he would probably end up homeless somewhere

@Whatisthereason

'I think it would be he would probably end up homeless somewhere'

This is my fear too. It seems autistic people can too easily fall through the gaps (gaping) in the system. Since theirs is a hidden disability it's often played down on downright ignored.

I hope you can get an autistic worker to help soon.

Are you in a caring roll at all? I found our local GP surgery had a prescribing carer support service which helped get me in touch with others who helped and help our journey.

@Whatisthereason then he needs to go down the limited capability for work route. I know it's hard, but it's actually better for everyone.
Him repeatedly being forced to look for work wastes his time, UC's time & potential employers' time (and resources). It's also going to put a massive strain on his mental health (which in turn will require more & more support).
If he really can't work, that's the way forward x

Has your relative been assessed for ADHD? I'm not a professional but I understand that autism and ADHD can co-exist and this might explain his inability to focus and complete tasks/courses. It sounds like he needs to go to his GP and talk about this. He could request an assessment.

Can you afford an assessment by an occupational psychologist? I remember reading a report on someone who was not working. It was about something else, not work, but at the end, under “any other comments” the psychologist picked up on some characteristics of this person and commented that he couldn’t understand why this person hadn’t been helped to find work because the particular characteristics that could be difficult meant that he was highly suited to repetitive work that required attention to detail. Now, obviously this does not describe the person being asked about here, but an occupational psychologist could help a lot in examining characteristics, abilities and strategies. Look for one who has experience and interest in people with difficulties like this, not one for eg high flying over achievers

Perhaps they should focus on getting some qualifications even basic GCSE's at nightschool or similar, doing free courses to make them more employable and then try to look for maybe a wfh job if they can't work as part of a team. I know this is not going to be easy and I do actually believe that there are many people who are unemployable.

The vast majority of the very long term unemployed are unemployable.

For those of you thinking that this person is trying not to get a job, do you want this person caring for your elderly relatives or you, do you want this person serving you coffee, do you want this person on your sales team or group at work, do you want this person working with children, do you want this person working in a factory or on the road where they sound unable to regulate themselves well and make wise decisions?

If he got to the point of finding a suitable role, Access to Work might provide some funding to pay for a support worker. Although it does sound like he would need a support worker to secure a role.

Has the National Autistic Society been of any help? They have various employment support services.

Which part isn't working?

Doesn't sound like this person is genuinely trying to get any sort of job...

Where do people think money miraculously appears from to fund this sort of attitude??

With many of these people I suspect (a)!

Yes, I'd want them serving me coffee.

Book an appointment with your local CAB. Ask them for support filling out a UC50 form and support with PIP. They will have staff who have expertise in supporting to fill out these forms.

@ladykale it sounds like the person in the origanal post isn't capable of work or has limited capability. The last government have made it much harder for anyone with disabilities to get any benefits to live on. It doesn't sound like this person is someone who is just refusing to work because they are lazy.

I have suffered anxiety much of my life. 20 years ago I was on a scheme to help people who struggled with disabilities get into work. I also remember a company called Remploy that employed disabled people. I am not entirely sure but I have heard of very little help like that today. I'm all for getting people into work but mot everyone has the same capabilities.

@Whatisthereason have a look on your local authority website, there's usually a specialist careers service for helping those with disabilities into work ie more specialist than the job centre. Also search for charities as we have a couple in our area that specifically help with skills for work.

Depending on the age of the family member, there may be other council services able to support. Have a look on their "local offer" pages.

If he is able to drive a car, then he is able to work machinery. Think about the steps needed to drive - not only the mechanical handling of the car, but being able to navigate and watch out for other road users. That takes a lot of executive functioning. It's not compatible with saying he couldn't work because he'd need someone standing behind him telling him what to do. I say this as a parent to an autistic teen who is intelligent but with low executive function.

Two thirds of people who are assessed for work capability are given the highest award of LCWRA .