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.

Esa being replaced, but not yet in all areas. You could ring and make a general enquiry?

If you're only working very part time on a self employed basis you probably wouldn't be entitled to claim wtc, would you? Aren't they cracking down on that?

glitter working tax credits for disabled people have gone altogether under universal credit as have those for single people.

Those that remain are being cut under universal credit and require people to be jobseeking and attending jobcentre so they earn enough so they aren't needed anymore.

The exemptions for jobseeking are very narrow under universal credit and the government are trying to remove those that remain e.g. severely disabled.

ESA changed in March and is even harder to get than before. I'm being reassessed less than three months after my last reassessment and the covering letter says ESA is temporary as no illness prevents people from working long term and, work is better for everyone. There's even a footnote to an online article to 'prove' what they're saying!

(Sorry not all of that was in reply to you glitter )

OP have you thought about cleaning work or looking at NHS jobs?

If you found an established cleaning company you may be able to take on work on like a zero hours basis? Short bursts of work, physical, and unlikely to require much organisation on your behalf

I mention NHS jobs because NHS trusts all maintain a staff 'bank' i.e people who sign up to do ad hoc work within a trust and you can pick and choose what you do. It's for everything from clinical nursing to porters and admin roles etc. I'd suggest contacting your nearest trust and seeing if you can sign up?

Unless the OP is losing consiousness every day (literally every day not could do so everyday) and this can be medically proved e.g. They go to hospital every time they won't qualify for ESA on that basis- the most they'd get would get work group and similar pressures to those claiming jobseekers, which under universal credit means attending courses and whatever the new name for workfare is (workfare was abolished but it's been replaced by something very very similar with compulsory work placements).

Mental health is difficult to claim for, though if the op is under cmht they might have a chance.

ESA now assesses for any work, for anytime, anywhere. Previously assessments were for specific jobs - I know one was office work I can't remember what the other was.

God Becca.. ........thats an accident in the workplace waiting to happen.

Then afterwards it would be the "lessons will be learned" spiel trotted out again.

You absolutely must claim ESA. I am well aware that it is stressful and you may be turned down/need to appeal. But you can't work, and you can't live like this. Once ESA is replaced by universal credit in your area, the amount you receive will remain the same, it's some form of transitional protection. But you need to get an application on ASAP. You are unfit to work, that's what it's for.

Thanks for your replies. No, I don't lose consciousness every day. It happens sometimes, not frequent, it is enough to rule out certain careers that require driving so just don't think I could be an Uber driver or Deliveroo driver if I had a car which I don't.

I want to work, I want to keep looking for a part time role I can do.

I will look at cleaning jobs. I assumed they would want regular hours but there could be some part time or zero hours. I would love to work for the NHS, and have searched for jobs in local trusts regularly but never found things I could do. Like for example roles would specify needing prior NHS experience. Again, I will check it out and see if I can find the bank type work for porters and similar. Thanks.

Op how about 'nannying' or babysitting?

Schools are about to finish for summer. Childcare is hard to find

The money on ESA is not the same as working part time and getting the disabled part of working tax credits. It is far less. £40 a week is a big deal to me. I can work, I just can't work regular hours.

I don't think I'd be eligible under tough ESA criteria for ESA. And then after the humiliation of the medical assessments for that as well as PIP, to be placed in the Jobseeking group of ESA? So have all the humiliation from their work coaches in addition? No.

Babysitting would be great, but as previous posters have pointed out what if I have a fainting episode? I probably wouldn't as it doesn't happen all that often. However, I'm hesitant now on investigating that because parents might not think it's appropriate with my health.

What was your former career that was so London-centric?

Would you consider a move to a cheap northern town? My mortgage is £400/month for a 3 bed semi with large garden.

The reality of ESA is being called when they think you should be well enough to work. I've been reassessed three times this year so far Unfortunately it's not as simple as being unable to work or signed off work. The criteria is very specific. Most conditions aren't specific and some cannot be controlled by medication.

Is there anything keeping you on London would you be better moving to an area where the cost of living is mich lower (and life less stressful) would it be possible to say move out to a more agricultural area and perhaps do fruit picking if you could manage it, the coast where potentially you could work in the hospitality industry. It doesn't sound like you. An afford to continue living in London. Is there any chance of your DP coming back to the Uk to help you?

Most of this advice is dreadful, and a lot if the posts are very rude for apparently no reason. I assume you're on mumsnet because you are a parent or a parent-to-be, don't endanger yourself and yoir cgild by engaging in sex work. Matched betting is stupid too. Entering competitions? This is all ridiculous.

Speak to your GP, and to Shelter, and the CAB. Ask about food banks. Look for help. I understand wanting to work but being just about able to do sex work is NOT 'able to work'.

*your child.

I don't have a child. I first joined Mumsnet when diagnosed with something that affects my fertility, to learn about IVF. Obviously I'm not in a position to do anything about that at the moment.

Workfare IS even worse now - much , much worse. The new version I think is getting abolished now and about time. I was frequently bullied and harrassed for not having childcare at the drop of a hat , told to get family members to help (not possible they live far away). The reason for this harrassment was that the 'advisors' get bonuses for how many interviews they get people on every week, and they get bonuses if I'm in work even if they did not help me get the job. Even if the job is impossible for me childcare-wise I was still forced to interview and then threatened with sanction for not being able to take it. I finally found a job with 9-5 hours of my own accord and a year later the only childminder who provides aftercare to my children's school left. You know what the work advisor told me when I was back?? - "well you'll just have to deal like other people who have childcare issues.." and she actually suggested that I allow my 11 year old to take my 8 year old and they travel alone on a bus 2 miles to the nearest childminder (who does not do school pick up) !! And sanctioned me for leaving the job when I refused to allow my children at that age to travel alone from school!! I am now living on less than a living amount, and I DO want to work, just have childcare issues.

Situations like this, the OP's, my friend's , and lots of other women - young women, single mothers, disabled women, women leaving relationships - are pushing quite a number of women into poverty and then because there is hardly a safety net with these barbaric policies and paperwork overload, into the sex industry simply to make ends meet. It's disgusting and inhumane.

OP, I have had good help from the Sex Work projects, look up your local one. They are not just there for women already in the industry, they are there to help prevent people from having to enter sex work in the first place. I went when I had been out of sex work for over a year and I was in financial trouble and terrified of a return to sex work, they really helped - advocated for me with the benefits agencies, complained to the workfare, gave me travel tokens , clothing vouchers and food bank vouchers right over Christmas, and set me up with welfare rights who weren't as proactive but did get me a print out of what i should be entitled to money wise. I am so grateful for that help. If you can, give them a call, and just explain what you have here. They shouldn't be judgemental at all and would hopefully help you. I know it's difficult to move areas but maybe long term if you could find somewhere taking DSS (I know that's a nightmare I had to have family guarantors) then you could look into moving to a cheaper area, although cheaper area just = less HB so it could just be equal to now, but maybe not.

Ah OK. Obviously that does not make sex work any better an option. I'm afraid I'm not sure why portering has neen suggested- it's a very physical job and you're worried about your hip going while (forgive me) in a bed. You're helping people stand and move, not a safe time to have a fainting episode or to dislocate a joint.

Hello OP.
I'm wondering if you have looked into a franchise business? There is plenty of information about them online and there may be something that could be of interest to you.

Oh - I thought portering could be bringing medical notes and specimans to and fro all over the hospital, but makes sense when I think of it that the porters are the ones to move patients around too and I suppose the same porters do it all, both heavy and lighter work.

If you have no ties to London try and move somewhere cheaper. Housing in.london is hellish even when you aren't on HB. Any biggish city/town will have decent transport links and is maybe look where there might be a good centre for autoimmune conditions in the local hospitals. I'm thinking Leeds or Manchester or Sheffield maybe or do you have friends anywhere you could move to. However if the council can heĺp you find somewhere affordable who will accept HB that would help you too.

HidegardMystic, thank you too, I will look that up. Your experience sounds awful with Workfare as well as with sex work. I hope things get easier.

It's Records who move the notes and stuff around, more like a desk job and surely desk jobs are better suited to your needs. I work bank for the NHS, though, you do need to book shifts days or weeks before, short notice cancellations are not taken kindly. You probably know better whether you're fit for work than I do, but it doesn't really sound like you are to me. I would exhaust all possible benefit options first- the option of work isn't going to go away.

My energy is really very low at the moment. I can't see a way out of being at the mercy of state benefits, I hate living like this.

I feel damned.