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.

[Betarocker]

pinkingshears download the app WEQ4U onto your phone. It will queue for you and saves loads of money. I use it all the time.

[GothAndTired]

Where are you? Is there a PR agency near you?

Just an entry-level account assistant or executive role, or even a PA? You'll earn around 20k full time. You've got all of the writing skills that you'll need, comms experience and degree. I think you stand as good a chance as any.

[whippetwoman]

I came on to say University admin jobs too - there are often quite a few available so check out the websites of our local uni's.
Also, look for library assistant jobs in your local uni libraries. You don't need to be a qualified librarian to work at that level and once you're employed, Universities tend to support you with professional development and courses. Good holiday too.
My University are always looking for writing tutors in their academic writing centre to help students improve their written work.


Look on your local council webpages for jobs too. Can often be a good selection.

[ILostItInTheEarlyNineties]

I would strongly advise applying for Universal Credit. You will need it as your safety net, even if you do manage to secure full time work, particularly with your health problems.

I sympathise, it's an awful process to go through but you need to be realistic about your options. Your gaps in unemployment and current disabilities shouldn't count against you in principle, but they will.

Considering your history, it would be best to aim for some part time work, topped up with benefits? I understand that's not what you want to hear.

What I was baffled about was that you considered yourself unfit for work, but now feel capable of earning 26k? Nothing had changed apart from your change in benefits. I didn't realise your mental health had improved significantly recently, as you have just mentioned.

[ohreallyohreallyoh]

You don't need to do a course to tutor. You can set yourself up as a tutor on sites like Tutora and Tutor Hunt (there are many more). Log in regularly so potential client to can see you are active. Familiarise yourself with AQA and Edexcel specs, exams, grade boundaries at GCSE (on websites) and go for it. I work 5 evenings a week from those two sites, at home, and I supply teach during the day. I do have a PGCE and QTS and work in a shortage area but am constantly turning down additional work.

[Viviennemary]

Who has told you your benefits will be changing? I wouldn't recommend teaching to anybody with mental health problems or stress related illness. With no recent experience not sure if there are many jobs paying £26K in offices. Government or NHS. People are getting into a terrific panic about this UC. But it doesn't mean people are going to get nothing. Too much scaremongering. IMHO>

[Scaredofthestate]

I don't consider myself unfit for work though I have been working part time for a long time. It's just not enough and the work coaches in the job centre will constantly be arguing with me about it not being enough. Massive strain and stress.

I am well now because I really take care of myself and rest and have down time. If I have a bad day with multiple panic attacks I rest. I don't know how I will cope in full time employment maybe I'll just be fucking shit but have no choice but to try because it's mental torture to be at the mercy of the DWP. Too frightening.

Thank you for all Ideas on this thread, I will follow them up and am touched people have taken time to make suggestions. However, there have been a few posts that strike me as a little dismissive and don't really understand my mental health issues at all, which is not surprising of course.

I am well because I prioritise taking care of myself and my wellness is hard won. I'm doing the best I can, and it makes me despair to be getting feedback that people think I'm just not trying hard enough. Or that I should bow my head in submission and accept my status as lowly and vulnerable and therefore subject to all whims of a bloody work coach. No. I'm not accepting that for me because it's not in my best interests.

Thanks to all who have made good suggestions, I probably will not come back to this thread again, but I am grateful for the advice

[GlitterGlue]

Are you sure you’ll be required to look for full time work if you are disabled? Everything I’ve read suggests that you won’t have to increase your hours. I really do think you should get some proper advice.

[Scaredofthestate]

Vivienne my money will be cut by £400 ish per month, as worked out by a CAB adviser.

I knew I said I was done here but wanted to helpfully clarify that it's not just mad old me panicking without reason - just because I have mental hearth issues does not mean I lack a grasp on reality. Disability tax credits are being cut. I will not get this money going forward.

That's leaving out I may have a long battle to get PIP again after review.

It is not helpful to gaslight people who are upset or panicking by telling them they have nothing to panic over, when they are legitimately concerned over their potential to pay bills.

[wizzler]

People who know a lot more about than me this are recommending tutoring etc.However I wondered have you considered being a postman/woman? There are always vacancies pretty much across the uk ,the wage is reasonable, and it sounds as if it would be less stressful for you than teaching ? .. Depending on your hours you could do freelance writing after you finish your round

[pinkingshears]

I am disabled. Waiting on dates for 7th lot of surgery in 2 yrs.
I am in receipt of ESA (wrag).
My 'mentor' is simplyl vicious. My car broke and I could not afford to replace it. He told me it would hinder my job search (yes, as I live rurally and cant walk much). He didn't believe me. I gave him the number of the garage and the DLA in the end so he could see it had been scrapped for £100. Horrible. He has also offered me his 'health advice' re CBT etc even though my Consultants letter is clear about my back being unfit for further surgery.
OP, you have all my sympathy.
Betarocker - thanks.
I cant see them refunding me. They should. It was their mistake.
(taxing my DLA which is non taxable)

[Battleax]

Related to Goth's suggestion; How about a Masters in PR or Marketing Comms? You could get a postgraduate loan and after a year you could go into a salaried role, if only for a few years to build expertise and contacts?

[PoisonousSmurf]

Work two jobs back to back?

[NeganLovesLucille]

I definitely do not recommend teacher training or teaching to anyone with mental health issues as serious as you describe OP. I love teaching, but it is extremely stressful and completely takes over your life.

I hope you find something.

[Viviennemary]

Try and develop a thicker skin re these DWP advisors. They are reading from a script. Just do what they say. And just say yes I did that. Yes I'll do that. Oh what a good idea that is. They'll be really flattered. Arguing with them is pointless. I agree some can be downright nasty. But others are OK.

[NKffffffffd826be10X12327b6cd81]

Teaching assistant at your local school?

[ReanimatedSGB]

You probably need a combination of things. I have done opinion polls - it's not too bad but you have to have a certain amount of mental resilience to cope with the fact that a lot of people will tell you to piss off, they don't want to do a bloody survey, thanks. Proofreading work is patchy and not necessarily well paid unless you have a lot of contacts already. Depending on your local area and your time/mobility etc, you could maybe add in things like Avon or Bettaware (only worth doing if your area isn't already flooded with reps...)

[NC4now]

Best use your existing skills. Do you already work part-time? Can you get a couple of comms clients on a freelance basis to top up? There’s good money to be made on a retainer.
Or look at going full time.
It’s hard but in the right job you can adjust. That’s your best option really. You’ll struggle to make 26k without working full time. I’d look at public/3rd sector roles where they are all up to speed with disability act stuff. You may even find you’re guaranteed an interview in some roles.

[Battleax]

Are you in a large city, medium town, out in the sticks...?

[Verbena37]

Something you can apply for instantly is school teaching assistant jobs and secondary school cover assistant jobs, where to supervise classes whilst they get on with work. They usually give you some training but then you’ll be earning straight away.

Some private schools don’t require you to be a trained teacher depending what your degree is in. You could also apply to private schools to do their editing of publications etc.

[Caulk]

I would question any school taking on a TA without a level 3 teaching assistant qualification...

[Battleax]

They do caulk sadly. Particularly for secondary lesson cover. It annoys me but I'd feel much happier with a graduate. Not that I'd recommend secondary cover (or supply teaching either) to anyone with fragile MH.

[Caulk]

Wow battle I knew cover supervisors weren’t trained but thought even at secondary a TA needed to be.

[Inkandbone]

Trained for what?

Not trying to be inflammatory but being a CS doesn't need training other than common sense.

[Verbena37]

They usually do a bit of discipline training.