worries job centre will sanction me as limited in job options after involved in RTA that has left me too scared to drive

[stuckinthevalleyshelp]

Sorry I've had to name change for this as I think I will be torn to bits and a bit scared that I'll look like an entitled brat.

I used to travel 50 miles to work each way in a job that was OK but didn't love it. One morning there was an impatient driver behind me that was driving far too close and looking like he wanted to overtake. Even though it was on a stretch were there was no overtaking. After a few mins I reduced my speed as he pulled out trying to overtake. He did so and unfortunately there was a car coming the other way very quickly and they had a horrific collision that caused a fatality and a life changing condition. I got caught up and had several injury's that although not life changing I was signed off work for a few months. Although I feel responsible for this I was cleared of any blame what so ever. But still I feel that if I had of kept my speed or increased it then this wouldn't of happened.

When it came time to return to work I just couldn't face driving again. Work were understanding for a while, then my employment was terminated.

I've been on JSA, CTS and housing benefit for almost 18 months now. I agree to look for a job within a 3 hour daily bus ride. Unfortunately the buses are slow and with multiple companies you can't get very far in this time. I've had very little luck getting and job and the money I have to live off doesn't even cover the basics so I've just about eaten up all of my savings. Unfortunately I now don't have the money together to get a deposit if I wanted to move. Not sure I could live off this money for much longer now my savings are gone, but there is very little locally for work. Just signing on costs 13 pounds in bus fares and there is no help for a bus pass.

If I could get into the city I probably would be able to get a job but I still don't feel ready yo drive and can't ever see myself doing it again.

Aibu to still not want to drive?

The rules for calming JSA are that you are available for and actively seeking employment. There are not any rules about having a car. You must be willing to take reasonable offers of work within 90 minutes of your home travelling by public transport.

You can't get sanctioned for refusing a job which you have no way of getting to or back from. You can claim travel expenses for any attendance outside of your fortnightly signing.

The rules have recently changed re periods of sickness while claiming JSA so people aren't constantly moving from one benefit to another. If your GP signs you as unfit for work, you now stay on JSA and are excused fortnightly signing, given certain criteria.

I am also confused as to why they would sanction the OP.

Surely if she is applying for all the jobs available, they wouldn't sanction her. She needs to tell them she no longer has access to a car.

There's no point going on about the $18K (she should have this, should have that), it's gone.

A lot of people saddled with trauma use money as a means of distraction (shopping, gambling etc) not to suggest this is what the OP did but clearly she has been through a terrible time and is trying to move on now.

The money is gone. But if you cannot drive you really need to look to moving to town, especially as you are single with no dependents.

When my son became unemployed and could no longer afford to run his car, the Job Centre told him that because of our location he either had to keep his car or get a scooter/motorbike as otherwise he would be declared as not able to work and receive no benefits.'
And how on Earth would someone who is on JSA be able to afford to get a scooter or motorbike (and pass the motorbike test) when they cannot afford to run a car?
They cannot force a person to run a car or vehicle

I was shocked also. I have been lucky enough not to have ever been on benefits, so did not know the system. As my son has disabilities I am his appointee and therefore attend all his meetings at the Job Centre with him.
We were told either to keep the car or get a scooter (she handed us a leaflet about passing the test). Two weeks later when signing on we were asked if he had kept his car or got a scooter, and we had to show evidence that he (or rather his dad and I) had had his car insured etc. As I say I thought this was OTT, but it certainly happened - about 3 months ago now when my son first became unemployed. My son who is very fit and sporty, said he would walk or run the 9 miles into town, but that was not acceptable to them, he had to have his own transport.