To be scared of sex work as can't get WTC and worried my hip might dislocate? What can I do instead? Please help

[LetMeOutOfTheNightmare]

My head doesn't feel clear today, I'm very desperate, I'm disabled and running out of money at a rate of knots. Was ticking along ok hoping against hope I'd be ok with part time work and topping up with disability element of working tax credit. But Universal credit has been introduced to my area so I can't get WTC.

I don't have enough money. I don't have skills to allow me to earn more money. I can't hold down a full time job due to my health. My executive function, concentration etc is abysmal, as I am not neurotypical and regular panic attacks fuck with my concentration also.

Ideally I'd work outdoors doing something physical that doesn't require high levels of meticulous organisation, but my physical health doesn't allow that, certainly not more than a couple of days a week and then I couldn't be sure what days I'll be ok and what days I won't be ok as my condition fluctuates.

Sex work feels suitable from the point of view that it is physical (ie no deadlines of having to write reports, or transcribe documents that sort of thing) and in relatively short bursts.

Really really hate the idea of it as I don't think it would be good for mental health, and worried my dodgy hip might dislocate. I am terrified though. If I have absolutely zero money, and no access to any - like thousands of other women - what if I have no choice? What if it's that or not pay bills, get into arrears with rent, and then be taken to court or end up sleeping on the pavement or in a park??? I couldn't survive that, on a most basic level I need to keep my medication in a fridge. My council have warned me if I get into arrears with rent that would disqualify me from any help from them regarding homelessness.

What can I do instead? What do I do? I need a way out and I cannot think of anything.

Please if you have any ideas can you share? I'm so worried, and aware that being so worried means I'm not thinking straight.

Don't whatever you do consider any form of sex work if your mental health is less than 100%

Unweaved Rainbow - there is a lot I don't understand about your post.

I didn't have any help with my initial PIP application, I did it myself. I will book an appointment at the CAB to get some help with the re-assessment.

I don't want ESA. I want to work.

It's not just that things take time, it's all very different sums of money under UC compared to WTC with disability? The 'limited capacity for work' element is approx £28 per week with UC. Disabled WTC were approx £70 per week.

That's a massive, massive jump to me. That's even supposing I get it, meeting whatever new criteria there is for UC.

My suggestion would be that, if you're struggling as much as it sounds like you're struggling, you get your GP to sign you off sick. That way you will get sick pay, SSP, or ESA (UC) depending on what your job is. If you're not entitled to sick pay or SSP you will get UC at the basic rate + housing costs. Do you currently get HB? What other benefits do you get?

Crossposted with people, sorry as I said I rent a room myself, and I don't drive.

Matched betting looks interesting, I am very very careful and cautious so maybe I'd be safe doing that.

Op - have you looked at what support is available? I.E Foodbanks? Sex work would not be a good idea if you have MH issues

Do you have any family you can ask to help you even if it is short term?

Or please talk with CAB to see if they can help you with payment plans to help with bills so that they can be reduced monthly?

I get HB and PIP.

I really don't want ESA. The goal of getting a good part time job is what motivates me. ESA also requires more humiliation and stress with more fit to work exams.

I can work, I just can't do a regular job.

I have no family to ask. I owe one of them nearly £1000 for the deposit on my current houseshare. They're already not pleased I can't afford to pay it back yet.

My bills are a set amount to my live in landlord. He won't discuss, he'll shrug and say well move out if it doesn't suit you.

You can work and claim ESA there is different groups if you ring job centre plus and set up an interview they will help you it is bloody difficult trying to make a reasonable living andbeing disabled however sex work is not a great choice your health will suffer.

I don't think you are fit to work though and that is shit it really is being unable to work really gets me down but you can't go on scrabbiling for bits and bobs of work being proud is doing nothing for you asking for help is not a weakness,

£1000 deposit on a room rental in a house is insanity. I don't imagine you have any legal protection at all either. Am I correct in thinking you have no contract? You just pay a set amount each month for your room and bills but aren't named on any bills etc?

You really need some proper advice and help. Please go and see cab and tell them everything including your housing situation. It sounds like you are incredibly vulnerable right now and need some support to get back on track.

Sex work if you are talking prostitution should not be an option. It will completely ruin you Hun.

Yes there are various other forms like phone sex (if you set up your own premium line rather than work for someone else you get the 1.50 or whatever a minute rather than someone else taking most of it), there's also webcam work. However I don't think as of yet these should be an option.
There are lots of other things you can do from home, how about some kind of network marketing? Envelope packing etc
Talk to citizens advice and make sure your benefits are straight first. Then really think if there is a job that could possibly work for you. Agency work perhaps so you don't have to commit to a certain number of hours per week.

Don't give up things will always get better xx

What are your skills? I can have a look at your CV if you like and offer some advice/edits - I'm pretty good at it.

Sex work, by all accounts, pays like shit.

Have you applied to these people below? You appear to be articulate, have good spelling and grammar (apologies if this sounds patronising, but with online work, that's half the battle) - you can definitely find something that pays, if you are inventive and look at the various options online.

askwonder.com/researcher

www.peopleperhour.com

(re. Wonder, it's not amazing work from what I've read, but it could be worth a shot - money is money).

For what it's worth I think it might help if you could break things down a bit. Trying to solve several smaller problems separately might be more successful than looking at this as one huge lump of a thing.

There's the 'crisis' element, sorting out your benefits. What the changes will be, making sure you are getting the right ones at the right levels. This bit is complicated and there are 'tricks' to getting it right. Get some help with that eg CAB.

Then there's the longer term. You should spend some time looking into what 'gig economy' jobs you might enjoy and suit. This will take some time to work out but who knows what talents you could unearth? You said you are careful or cautious? I have a friend with a similar outlook and who has problems which keep her mostly at home, she makes a fairly good income proof reading and editing dissertations for English-as-a-second language students.

you will need to do extra work to make sure you don't mess up your benefits of course.

Unless you are asking about cash only? Is that why you are thinking about sex work, to avoid having to declare? I agree with what some others have said, I think the mental and physical cost of that may be way to high and not really sustainable.

You're being a little melodramatic here. You're not fit to work. Apply for ESA and relax.
Or do your part time job when you can and then prostitute yourself when you can.
Such nonsense.

I can't believe someone suggested "enter competitions"

OP...I really feel for you. What will happen when you go over to UC? Will they hassle you to work and then cut off your money if you don't find work?

Is that the issue? Will they not help you to find suitable employment?

What is your total weekly income as things stand? How much is your weekly rent?

£1000 is normal for London. No I don't have deposit protection, but my situation had me over a barrel. Old landlord sold up. Council advised me to wait to be evicted, then go to a council hostel for homeless people and see what happens. I explained that would be disastrous for my mental health. They couldn't help. I found this place and the guy was willing to let to me, didn't ask for proof of income etc. I set up housing benefit and have never been late with the rent.

I'm already liaising with the council to try to come up with a plan for more suitable living space going forward but that takes time. There is of course no social housing, so they want me to take a private rental with special landlords they use in the borough - great and I'm keen, but if I lose my PIP I don't know what will happen because my housing benefit would be majorly depleted.

I saw CAB earlier this week, they weren't sure on some stuff and said they would look into it and email me next week.

Going to look at the link for that Wonder job right now, thank you.

MrsOvertheRoad I can't believe someone suggested gambling and the OP is considering it lol. Entering competitions seems sensible in comparison.

£1000 for what? A one bed apartment? A room in a shared house is usually about 500 per month. Less if it's a single room.

You receive housing benefit.
I'm not sure what exactly the problem is here?

User suggesting I'm being melodramatic - I've been very clear that I have mental health issues, well guess fucking what - my anxiety is up. You're actually inaccurate as well, because it's not as simple as applying for ESA - no guarantee about it and AS I KEEP SAYING, universal credit is shafting people with disabilities.

My total income at the moment is PIP and housing benefit. I last had some part time work a couple of months ago, then the person didn't need me anymore.

Woollyminded - I would not consider not declaring my earnings. If I was an escort I'd still declare it. As I have said, my potential income is affected to the tune of about £40 a week because of Universal Credit. That's a lot of money to me. That's why I am stressed and anxious.

And why are you panicking that'll you'll lose pip? Have you suddenly improved?

User, I live in London. My rent and bills are £900 per month. I'm sorry if this is news to you.

If you lose your PIP you need to ask HB to do a nil income assessment so that your HB is assessed on nil income
They can and will do this for you but you need to ask and they don't advertise it
If you Google Nil income for housing benefit you wll be able to see what I mean
But you need to do it straight away if you lose PIP don't wait as you don't want to be without any crossover of no payments for the rent

So, you're not fit to work, apply for ESA. Surely the stress of filling out that application form has to be less than opening your legs for a smelly auld yoke with a beer belly sweating and panting on top of you?

You're being irrational. Time to reel yourself in. Calm the fuck down and just apply for the fucking ESA.

That is in a shared house.

User, I'm panicking I will lose PIP because it is a well known fact that when it comes to re-assessment they will try to declare people ineligible.