To wonder how I will do this

[Oreooo]

I’ve been out of work for some time since having my DD and I receive universal credit. They have put me on the restart programme to find work now she has turned 3. However I have struggled with anxiety for years and have really bad social anxiety, struggle meeting new people too. Restart have asked me to come to a group induction and I really don’t know how I will do this because of my social anxiety but it says I have to attend or my payments may be sanctioned

Goodness, that sounds hard.

My DH doesn’t work due to anxiety - mostly social anxiety - so I can empathise. There must be some way to manage it though. I’m hoping someone will be able to help better than I can, but wanted to show some solidarity.

Do you have a partner who works?
Have you applied for work at all in the past 3 years?
Do you have an official diagnosis of anxiety and are you signed off as unable to look for work by your doctor?
Is there any work you could do?

Have you explained to your work coach that you have a problem?

As the above poster says, message your work coach and explain the situation. I'm sure you're not the first person they've dealt with who's felt like this.

Do you have any medical evidence at all? If Universal Credit require evidence, perhaps your GP could write a supporting letter?

I've just signed my older son up for UC. He suffers from really bad anxiety and rarely leaves the house. I explained the situation to his advisor and she just accepted it and said he could have phone appointments instead of face-to-face visits.

Thank you everyone for your response. I’m feeling really overwhelmed by the whole thing.

I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression in 2017. Not signed off at the moment but I think in the terms and conditions it says a referral to Restart will still be put through even with long standing health conditions. I feel under pressure as lots of upcoming appointments have been booked in for me and apparently the group induction is this coming Tuesday. I really struggle around new people and groups of people and I rarely feel like leaving the house so I’m not sure how I’m going to do this

My work coach and universal credit know I have anxiety/depression as it’s under my health part of my claim but I’ve still been put forward and restart have also booked me appointments in on times I haven’t agreed to, they are just showing in my portal but were never discussed with me.

Can you ask for a reasonable adjustment and to complete these meetings via Teams, Zoom etc?

Restart is designed to support those with barriers stopping them returning to work. When you get the appointment through there will be a contact number for your new advisor. Call them, explain about anxiety. They'll see you one to one instead of in a group. I speak from experience, they've just supported me back into work!

Have you started looking and applying for jobs? My first thought was that if you get a job quickly you won't have to go to the Restart thing.

Hi
I'm disabled and can't leave the house very much due to my conditions. I have had all of my uc appointments by phone. But, it's accepted that I can't work due to the nature if my illness. I do receive pip though at the higher rate.
If you are feeling this way you need to see your GP and ask for a sick note. Maybe try to arrange therapy or counseling if appropriate. Are there any medications that may help you?Definitely apply for pip.
I haven't been sent to any meetings, but I'm in contact with a coach regularly by phone. It's pointless for me though.
Good luck with it all, it's terrible having things like sanctions hanging over you when you feel awful already.

Hi op

I say this with kindness, but are you planning on being UC for life? Or have you tried to tackle the anxiety? Do you want to work? This may well be the start you need

Anxiety is horrible but it doesn't go away on its own. I am a long term sufferer. You need to find ways to overcome it instead of adjusting every area of your life to avoid anxious situations. That's what helped me ultimately ( no amount of anti d, or CBT cracked it) I had to be really uncomfortable for a while until I got used to being outside of the comfort zone

Don't hide away at home. Go and live your life. Do it for yourself, do it for your child

If your anxiety is so bad it prevents you from being able to work, you need to go through the formal steps of getting signed off by your GP (you can get signed off even if unemployed), which would then trigger a work capability assessment with the DWP.

If successful, you would either be placed in the Limited Capability for Work category or the Limited Capability for Work Related Activity category. More info here: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/if-youre-sick-or-disabled/getting-universal-credit-if-youre-sick-or-disabled/