To feel scared?

[EveryoneOutsideNow]

I’ve been on benefits for 10+ years due to chronic illness. Over the last year I’ve started feeling a bit better and have been managing to increase my activity levels over the year. I still get some symptoms if I’ve overdone it but no where near as bad as it has been in the past.

I’ve been applying for jobs for the last 6 months and haven’t been offered any, I think because I’ve been out of work for so long with illness I must seem a big risk for employers? I was looking for part time jobs but most of the ones available are care/shop work which would be too physical for me to manage.

I would love to get into work and have been applying for any I thought I could manage the last few months. I’ve just been offered my first interview. It’s for a full time office job. Driving to the workplace would be 25mins each way.

I feel really scared about not managing full time work with my health not being 100% and the struggle to get back onto benefits if I needed to if they’ve thought I’ve been well enough to try full time work?

I realise I haven’t actually got the job yet! And am over the moon to be offered an interview after so many rejections. I’m just really worried about how I’ll manage.

Are you getting any support from the DWP about getting back to work OP? I think it sounds like the new full time job might be too much for you, but perhaps you could get advice from the DWP? Sorry I can't be of much help, as unfortunately I'm not well enough to work, but I'd have thought they DWP should be able to advise you. If not, I feel sure someone will come along soon who can give you more advise. Good luck with getting a job, I know it must be particularly hard right now, but hope that with the right support you'll be able to find the right thing.