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.

Thanks for the info Magpiemagic, I didn't know that.

Sorry, Magpiemagpie, rather!

I can't believe someone suggested "enter competitions"

if you have spare time in the evenings that would otherwise be spent watching TV, why not? It's free and you can use one of the big sites that compiles them all for you. A friend of mine won a £1000 giftcard for Tesco just after Christmas.

Nightmare I too live in London and have lived in various houseshares. The rent for a couple was never more than £640 per month for a double room. All bills included.
Unless you're living in Marylebone.
I've lived Fulham, Wood Green, Acton to name a few. If you're paying 900 for a room, you're either talking through your arse or being taken for a ride.

Most people don't know about the Nil income Assement
But make sure as soon as you need to apply for it do it straight away and tell HB you need to be assessed on for Nill income

OK. I hear you, I think the anxiety is not helping at all, I know you can't help it but try to see that getting angry and defensive is going to make it harder for people to help. It's like a wall that goes up - I'm speaking from personal experience here. People need to ask questions so that they can give you better guidance, here and in the real world.

Try not to make any big decisions until the PIP thing is sorted out. It might be as bad as you've heard but it might not. Hang in there, take one step at a time.

First don't do sex work. I have an xgf who is still a very good friend. She worked as a dominatrix (no sex) and it still fucked with her head, your head is not in a good place now and this would drive you down further, right now you need to hang on to your self-respect.
I would have thought if your condition prevents you from driving you should get mobility?
My partner had a very recent home visit ATOS review and despite me being in a reasonably well paid job she was re-awarded the higher rate of mobility, care component, DLA etc. this all adds up to around £13k a year and we own our house outright.
I sure you must be entitled to more help.
Try the CAB or check on line for support sites.
Good luck.

If you get declared ineligible for PIP, you appeal it. Apply for ESA, download the forms now, it will be easier while you are an active claimant of PIP. You never know, you may not even get called in for assessment, not everyone does. Get someone on your side, Benefits Rights is a good organization. Or look at the benefits and work website.

Claiming ESA doesn't have to be forever, but if you are seriously considering sex work to top up your income, you need the extra money now. And you're entitled to it!

Magpie - my HB is assessed as nil income even though I'm in receipt of ESA and PIP. It's nil income for assessment purposes.

The OP is panicking for no reason. Although where she is renting a room for 900 quid a month baffles me. You'd be hard pressed to find a room to rent at that price! If you don't believe me check out spareroom.co.uk.

You can work part time and claim ESA for up to year I think. It's called permitted work. There's a limit to how much you can earn and how many hours you can do. Please apply for ESA. It really is worth a shot. But get CAB or similar to help you.

OP, do you have any family or friends or partner in London? Or are you alone? Do you have anyone in another part of the country who might support you a bit? Could you move?

London is hard even without mental health worries and it's hard even when you've got family there! Alone in a shared house...sounds terrible for someone with MH problems.

User - I'm not engaging with you anymore. I find you abrasive and you seem determined to upset me, and I don't have time for it.

Try finding somewhere to rent, a real bargain, when you have no income and receive housing benefit. Many landlords will not touch you. You are at the mercy of whoever will accept your money.

When I started not saying I got housing benefit on the phone when I first called about places, I found a lovely clean and cheap room with an elderly woman landlady, who met me and liked me, said she could see I was clean and respectful, but said very regretfully her son refused to let to people on housing benefit. This was my experience a couple of more times, and I began to feel like I was wasting everyone's time. I felt like utter scum.

I found this place with less than a week to my move date, that I had to be out of my old flat, so I took it. I don't actually want to be here, but it was the best I could do.

I also think you are ridiculously out of touch with London rental prices as they are today. £900 is a lot but £750 is about the norm, often without bills included.

I have taken the liberty to search for a room for you OPwww.spareroom.co.uk/flatshare/?search_id=506953894&

1000+ results.

None near 900 a month. All have bills included.

I have not been 'angry or defensive' in replying to anyone apart from the User who seems to be sneering at my fears and worries.

Letme, I think the only mistake you've made is posting in Aibu. You will find some people here who will pounce on anyone who is vulnerable and start posting utter shite with very little empathy for your current situation. If you're struggling with your mental health there is a board where you will find lots of support. I wouldn't rule out gong to see your GP to get referred for support. I hope you manage to sort this out.

£900 for one room in a house and bills. Wow that's ridiculous.

Surely there are cheaper places than that? Maybe not, I'm not savvy with London prices.

What ties do you have in that area?
You can get whole houses for half that, in some areas of the country.

OP, why would you state that you're not going to engage with another poster and then write five paragraphs to them?
Just don't engage!

*You need to manage your money. I know that sounds easy to say, I know it's tough with little money, but you are going to the path of 'it's all out of my control' when it isn't. It's in your control.

If you need to adjust your money, make a plan. Write out your budget. Get hold of the reins of your life and steer it.*

Are you for real. What about when your money doesn't cover the cost of living. the op is hardly living the life of luxury, she's living in a illegal hmo, thinking of having sex for money, she is extremely vulnerable. Managing money when you have enough is really easy, impossible if you don't have enough

The op doesn't have the option to claim ESA. They can only claim universal credit sickness element which is a different application and assessment process, and stricter than ESA.

I'm not sneering. I have lived on the streets of London for two months. I know the price of accommodation. But you're being catastrophic about something that hasn't even happened. It's a little attention seeking. If you genuinely want to go into prostitution I know there are posters on here who work that. They might help. Seems a very silly choice though given your mental and physical health. A proper job might be less toll on you. You're still in receipt of PIP so I don't quite get the panic. Has someone told you they're cutting it?

Sorry if that repeats other information. I've now got a lot more posts showing on this thread!

Thanks, IntheKnickersoftime, I have a GP appointment made for next week. I'm supposed to be seeing my psychiatrist next month however there is some mistake and I have no appointment yet, but hopefully can sort that.

Rightwhine yes rents are ridiculous, but you can find some cheaper. My last place was under £600 but landlord sold up.

My main problem when househunting is nobody wanted to rent to me on housing benefit.

I met one landlord who said HB was ok, then when I went to view he said he thought I had a baby so he would not rent to me because I can only get the single rate and he wanted the single mum rate.

Then I got this place, landlord said HB ok, then he blamed me for attracting attention of the council re council tax and asked me to leave or stop my claim. He's settled now, said he'd have a think about whether he still wants me to go so he could say I have to, asked me to think hard if I could afford to stop claiming, I said I couldn't afford it but would see what I could do - but for now he's calmed down and not mentioned it again.

Other User#whatever number, asking me why I wrote paragraphs to somebody I said I wasn't engaging with -

My head is very scrambled just now and I'm disjointed, having trouble processing information input and output with my anxiety.

I meant to write "This will be the last post where I will engage with you" and then I explained why my particular situation is the way it is.

Options for emergency work.

Babysitting - most kids are in bed when parents go out. Only problem may be travel.
Occasional gardening?
House sitting/pet sitting/dog walking - all as an independent not with an agency.