To be frightened about the Government’s plans for benefits reform?

[PilgorTheGoat]

I am one of the millions of people currently on long term sickness benefits. I receive the LCWRA element of UC and PIP due to poor mental health and autism. I have severe anxiety and depression and I am awaiting an appointment to see if I also have PTSD due to sexual abuse in my childhood.

I have tried every element of support offered to me. I’m maxed out on 2 different types of antidepressants. I have had back-to-back (excluding the 6 month wait in between) 12 week sessions of counselling offered via the NHS. I am on a waiting list for intensive CBT due to my possible PTSD. I am currently having twice weekly private, video counselling appointments.

I can’t leave my house alone due to panic attacks. I struggle to meet my own care needs and my husband has to do a lot of the work for us both (although he works full time). I have a very understanding friend whom I force myself to go for a short walk with twice a week in order to stop myself becoming completely imprisoned at home but I find this very distressing and we have to take the same route each time.

I am so, so scared about the government’s plans to end sickness benefits for people like me. We don’t have a load of spare cash, we’re just about getting by. There is no support available. I’ve taken everything offered and my husband has been very proactive in seeking out other services for me to be involved with. I’d love to be better, I’d love not to live in fear but there is no help.

I have never had a job where I used a PC. How can I prove to a potential employer that I can use one. WFH roles are very competitive for people who have tons of experience. This trope of WFH being the answer to people with MH issues can fuck off.

I am middle aged, not worked for well over a decade... a trash DBS, and very bad work history (fired/managed out). I end up in 136 suites and police cells every so often. Who is going to employ me? I bloody wouldn't.

I have to pay council tax from that, and I don't claim housing costs.

You don't get any help with a mortgage.

It's £800 total. If you qualify for the extra. It may just be £400.

So could you live on that should your circumstances change?

How would you pay your mortgage?

What about the days they can’t get out of bed? Employers demand reliability.

It means they can use a computer and, in your case, interact (argue) with strangers, which suggests they could probably manage a remote working job offering email support

But can they do that reliably and repeatedly every working day?

Some with a severe mental illness is very likely to have periods where they simple struggle to even log onto a laptop, let alone complete a full days work. Employers will fire them eventually or bully them out.

Many people work from their beds now

Blaming people who need benefits for our messed up economy and mutual sense of insecurity seems so old-fashioned. There are a lot of people really, really suffering out there. And the support available if you say "I want to die please help" is pretty limited.

I think we need a total rebuild of our country. From education to give kids genuine skills and confidence to healthcare to get the sick back into work they usually want to do to housing provision so that absolutely everyone can live in comfortable and affordable housing (whether privately or socially funded).

We are all likely to need help from the state at some point.

I find this type of thing really bizarre.

I think the vast majority of adults get anxiety at some point, it is completely normal to worry about things. But you push past it because that’s what you need to do. Imagine if we all just stopped because we were anxious. There would be no doctors, nurses, bankers, lawyers, lorry drivers, shop workers, teachers, nursery staff etc.

I agree that the amount of people on here claiming to have MH is absurd. Also the fashion to get your kids diagnosed with autism for some ££ is absurd. The new trend for adults to be diagnosed with autism is absurd.

I didn’t know until recently that you can actually claim PIP AND work. That’s really really crazy.

OP, your situation is demonstrably different and the system should support and pay your benefits. I have also seen similar situations like yours on MN.

I am sure you have also heard that some people need a different assessment, and that poster (and many some people) clearly do. It doesn't make pp horrible for pointing out the facts.

Also, if people can work, those who should try to work, then more safety net for people like you who clearly need MH benefits. There is no magic money tree. The money will finish up, in the end, if not used correctly.

HTH

OP#Please ignore them
Some just set put to upset FM for so-called "fun." they are very sad people, ignore them please

You will be ok, trust me!!

Definitely try that FB post, several local people have done it here and had many comments asking them to get in touch. There are decent people out there who want to give people a chance. It’s worth a go, surely.

Current claims will be safe. They aren't going to have the manpower to re-assess everyone. Even current renewals are a bout a year behind expiry date in many areas. So i wouldn't worry.

You sound fascinating actually! If you can write, write a book

Sorry, I feel at fault here for defending myself. Some horrid replies for sure.

I am scared about all the proposed changes too. But remember it is just talk for now.... hopefully the Torys wont get in and do this anyway. It is in the news, so people are talking about it lots, and saying people like us are taking the piss etc... and a lot of the comments can be very hurtful.

Next week, it will be another news story and group of people being talking crap about.

Who? Sex workers?

That last sentence is so ignorant. PIP is intended to cover the additional costs that come with having a disability.

Why is it crazy that people can work and claim PIP?

Disabled people face significantly increased costs in comparison to those without disabilities. PiP is designed to try and level the playing field.

It enables many to work. I thought that was the point of this thread.

Not because they’re incapable of getting out of them.

Not funny

You totally deserved that.

It was not meant to be.

Deserved what? Plenty of people sit on their laptop in bed and work. Our brave new post Covid world has removed the need to get dressed or even wash. The demands will never be lower than now.

I have not mentioned anything about my bed or how much time I spend in it.
Well, if I have humour, I can get a job as a comedian or something... because that is well known and reliable source of income.

It isn't. You gave to pay top up rent and top up council tax from that. Every council is different, some don't charge.my local council has a blanket charge of £15 a week regardless of disabilities or benefits.

And of course, gas, electricity, water, phone, internet and food.