Urgent what job can I do that will get me off all benefits?

[Scaredofthestate]

I really cannot go on UC when it's rolled out in full in my area. I have difficulties with PTSD and anxiety, and it's not realistic for me to be able to deal with DWP and stay mentally healthy. I feel well if I feel in control of managing my stress, too much stress and everything spirals rapidly and I sink. I get housing benefit and PIP at the minute I need to get away from all benefits. The universal credit system has no rhyme or reason and is deeply anxiety inducing.

What jobs can I possibly get that would make me 100% independent quickly? Like not minimum wage needing top ups?

My background is doing things like communications and writing but I've never worked full time successfully so I know this is a barrier too.

[Caulk]

If you’re currently volunteering and have in the past then definitely write that down on your application/CV.

Tutors here all require QTS or at least a post grad, so it may be disheartening if you’re adversiting but not getting anything.

Any universities nearby that you could look at for admin roles? Temp for a bit and then look for full time posts?

[hidinginthenightgarden]

If you look into teaching in college you can usually do a cert ed whilst on the job. Perhaps start doing some tuition and see how far it gets you. It will if nothing else provide something for your C.V.

[Scaredofthestate]

Care work won't free me from top up benefits. Neither would doing surveys.

I'd actually love to go back to university and get another degree but that's another step back instead of forward in terms of earning money.

No, I don't expect it to be easy to find well paying work but I'm trying to figure it out now instead of waiting to be on UC and harrangued every week by a work coach at the job centre - they will expect me to be having this conversation then, so I'd rather start now! I need higher paying work. No question. That's what the job coach will be expecting from me, so I need to figure it out now to avoid being at their mercy to protect my mental health.

[TonicandLime]

I am assuming you are on benefits because you need them for your health issues therefore you are unable to work?

If you can suddenly decide you are fit for work because you don't like the idea of UC then you shouldn't have been benefits in the first place - or else why haven't you done this ages ago?

[Caulk]

How much do you need to be earning, that will help with suggestions of jobs.

[TsunamiOfShit]

What is your degree in?

[BarbarianMum]

Sorry just trying to do the maths here. So you need to bring in another £400/month after tax or get a new job paying over 26k? How part time is your current job?

[ILostItInTheEarlyNineties]

I think you need to stay realistic. It's admirable that you want to work but I'm baffled as to why you didn't consider this before? Are you able to work with your disability? That will surely limit your options?

It's naive to think you can walk into a 26k job. Most people aren't unemployed as a lifestyle choice. There's a huge unemployment problem and many people are stuck in minimum wage/ zero hour contract jobs (with degrees).

Your best bet would be to update your online CV and email it to a few employment agencies? They seem to have a monopoly on most available jobs.

Let's face it, it's highly likely you will have to apply for Universal Credit to top up what you might earn, particularly if all your rent is being paid at the moment. Be prepared for that.
An advisor at your CAB office can help you with the process.

[SaskiaRembrandtWasFramed]

I think the OP is worried that claiming UC will be so stressful that getting a job even though she isn't fit to work will actually be the lesser of two evils.

[Mrscog]

Op - could you afford £900 to do something like this for tutoring? -
www.worcester.ac.uk/journey/university-diploma-in-academic-tutoring.html#section-6

Do you have a vehicle? A quick search of Indeed brings up courier delivery drivers as £120 per day basic,

Or something like this - www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk/csr/jobs.cgi?jcode=1561617&utm_source=Indeed&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=Indeed?

[Scaredofthestate]

Tonic, I don't honestly know if I can do this, no and if I can it I'm under no illusions - it's not going to be good for me. I can't allow myself to think of that though. I tried to take my own life the last time I was in a full time job, I was very unwell. I have to hold faith that I can do this now though because there's not really a choice.

I definitely do know my mental health will not withstand the work coach and universal credit, chopping and changing and constant pressure and being told my low paid work isn't acceptable and I'm going to get sanctioned.

[Scaredofthestate]

Consider what before? What do you mean?

I had a significant mental health crisis, went on benefits, re built myself slowly to a point where I'm stable and maintaining steady mental health with part time work.

I have been desperately trying to think of solutions ever since hearing my benefits would be changing - I still don't have the answer. What is baffling about that?

[Scaredofthestate]

Civil service is a great idea, will look there too.

[Scaredofthestate]

Degree is in English literature, so it's not very helpful much as I enjoyed it at.

[OptimisticHamster]

Looking at employed jobs doing copywriting, marketing, digital marketing, communications, content editor. Stuff like that.

It's not easy tho.

I've been made redundant this week and urgently need a new job so I can still claim 30hrs childcare. I was on equiv of 31k and am now looking at jobs that pay 18-26k. It's tough.

[KathArtic]

As Tonic said, as but I would stress not to jump into something in a blind panic.

Look at training courses (Computer classes mainly) and brush up on your skills, contact uni,'s go to work fairs. Look for some voluntary work. Contact employment agencies and ask what they have and what you need to make yourself employable with them.

If you already have a degree look at www.teachfirst.org.uk/TeachFirst

If you are able to work then you should be.

[Scaredofthestate]

Yes it's really hard isn't it! I don't know enough about the wider context to be sure but to me it doesn't really seem like the job market is very healthy at the moment. Obviously I know fuck all about it though so could be very wide of the mark.

[Vitalogy]

Full time minimum wage would stop benefits. Have you got children?

[LadyRoughDiamond]

Teacher training? A salaried, on the job training post for English pays approx £15k but only takes a year and from there on your salary steadily increases to about £30k. Teaching is stressful, but there's a good support network and it sounds like you have tutoring experience already which is relevant. Applications opened last week.

[Scaredofthestate]

I'm trying to learn advanced excel skills because I think it will be useful in virtually any field.

I don't think I could do teaching with my mental health. Surely that's a job that demands a very steady temperament as its so stressful?

Katihartic many people with varying disabilities are able to work at different levels of intensity if employers make reasonable adjustments, but they are not always supported in the workplace. It's really not as simple as saying "if you can work you should".

[pinkingshears]

OP I am in the same boat.
I have just discovered the 60 phone calls I made over 2 months to try to sort my last change of circumstances cost me over £150 (premium rate line - thanks Mrs May).
And I' not on UC yet....

It is appalling.

[LadyRoughDiamond]

Oh, and I've also been offered supply work in the past, despite not having QTS yet - they're desperate for cover supervisors.

[Scaredofthestate]

Pinking shears that's appalling. I don't suppose there is any chance that call fees might be waived, given that they have now made lines to DWP free to call?

[Scaredofthestate]

I'll look into cover supervision, if they'd take me it would be a good way to get a sense of whether I'd be any good in a school environment.

[Etymology23]

This is really going to depend on what you're able to do.

You could look at studying to be an accountant possibly? The big firms (top 10ish) have plenty of regional offices, will pay for your training and mileage tops up the salary a lot. Big 4 starting salaries are around 27k in the south east (not London) and lower with smaller firms and elsewhere in the country. It can have long hours and be stressful but they are also quite good at allowing part time, flexitime and working from home (if needed for your disability). You don't need a mathsy degree but you do need to be comfortable with numbers.

Alternatively some software companies will take on those keen to learn but with no coding experience.

This is very very much going to depend on where you are and what is available and how you can not make yourself even more ill. Panicking isn't going to help (doesn't make it easier not to though)!