To feel shame about needing benefits

[Overther]

For context,
I graduated uni, got a job for 6 months to tide me over until I found something longer term. I've been working my recent job for 4 years. I've just been dismissed due to not being able to fulfil my role due to medical issues. I'm currently claiming UC, although not much as my DP works. I'm awaiting to hear back from PIP, however I had help to fill in the forms and was told I should be entitled to the 'higher' rate. I'm also waiting to hear back from ESA.
I feel absolutely awful about claiming anything and feel ashamed that I'm not working at the moment even though working has been absolutely unsustainable and detrimental to my health.
I want to work, I don't want to be unemployed forever but at the minute it's just not possible for me but at the same time I feel like I should force myself to go back even though my health would deteriorate and I've just been dismissed for my disability stopping me from doing my job.
I suppose my AIBU is AIBU to feel bad for not working?
YABU - You should be made to work
YANBU - You shouldn't feel guilty

You should not feel guilty.

To me your situation is exactly what the safety net of benefits is there for. If the job you were doing has been detrimental to your health, and you are able to, give yourself chance to recover before starting another job.

If you do, there is more likelihood that you will be able to manage a new job long term. Start too soon, and you are more likely to be off ill again.

An employer may also be more likely to take you on if you can explain you have had chance to recover. If you haven't they may be concerned about you being able to do the job.

You obviously want to work. Personally I would prefer benefits to go to someone who wants to work, but genuinely can't (either because they are not able to, or are able to but people won't employ), than someone that doesn't want to work at all.

Hope you feel a bit better soon, and can find a suitable job you enjoy.

Benefits are there for if you can’t work. So if you can’t work, you have no reason to feel bad.

The ‘benefits culture’ has given the whole system a bad image. It’s actually stopping those it was designed for, like yourself, from claiming what they are entitled to. I have this argument with my DM on a regular basis - she worked for the NHS for 40 years but won’t claim anything.
Make the claim, get yourself well and then hopefully you can spend the next part of your life putting back into the system, without making your health worse.

YANBU.

The original purpose of a universal, state- wide benefit system was ‘social security’ - in that it was recognised that there were society- wide consequences from having people who could not support themselves, whether that was through sickness or unemployment.

Gradually this got whittled down and rebranded (‘welfare’) and benefit claimants were demonised, not only by individuals and the right- wing press, but by successive governments.

This dreadful situation has led to many, many people who have every reason to draw on the safety net (which benefits are supposed to provide), into feeling intense shame for claiming.

You are clearly ill and at the moment, do not have the capacity to work. There is absolutely no shame in not working when you cannot work, and indeed it would be pointless if work would make your health deteriorate. .

The Tories agenda/media have made anyone who genuine needs benefits feel like Vicky Pollard with a Staffordshire bull terrier called killer, buying takeaways and not feeding their 12 children.

No need to feel guilty.

I imagine there’s a lot of people in receipt of benefits that feel the same as you.

I blame Tory propaganda and Tory voters spouting outdated ignorant opinions.

In-fact I sometimes wonder if they’d prefer the uk to be on par with third world countries.

What is your health condition and why / how does it stop you working? What is your medium and long term prognosis? I take it you are in your 20's so much more life to come. You need support and a plan.

I feel incredibly fortunate to not have to claim benefits - but should my life change and I needed to, I would in a heartbeat.

When you are well enough to work, you can. And you will pay your taxes. When you're not well - that is exactly what this safety net is for.

Talk to yourself like you would talk to a friend.

YANBU

I am also on benefits as I am unable to work. I was brought up with a strong work ethic, and taught that to claim benefits meant I was a failure. That meant I got myself into huge debt instead of rightfully claiming.

I have a relative who is struggling on their low wage right now, and has been too proud to claim. They are finally changing their mind after the cost of living and their rent has been getting too much for them to pay.

MN can be an absolute cesspit at times for benefit bashing (someone told me she was "absolutely disgusted" that I claimed for MH reasons).

You have a job right now, and that is to keep yourself well. Good luck with your PIP and ESA claims.

@Overther

As others have said, benefits are to help.

I've been very, very fortunate that in the 50+ years of working life, I've never needed to claim benefits. I would never begrudge rightful claims.

I think the whole benefits system has been given a bad name, wrongly, by people who take what they shouldn't be entitled to. The ones who know how to work the system. And that irritates the life out of me.

And as @XenoBitch posted, you're job is to look after yourself.

Good luck.

It is the mark of a civilised society that we have a system in place to support those less fortunate. Something that the Conservative Party simply can't (or won't) understand. I sometimes think that they think that the workhouse should be brought back.

Please don't feel guilty. You are in a situation where you clearly need the support.

If you need to claim them then do so, that is what the safety net is there for. ESA is based on NI contributions you have made.

Don't feel bad and I know we've a culture that would make you feel that way. You need a break and time to treat your illness. I'm in the same boat. My priority is to get well, and I know I can't think about work until I can do that. I'm not ashamed, and it isn't an option not to claim it. Everything will work out ok

Benefits are there for those who need them. It’s interesting your employers dismissed you. Did they know about your disability and did they make reasonable adjustments to try and help you keep your job?

I worrying about this at the moment, as I'm off work sick. The irony of my situation is that I'm struggling to access health care that could see me back at work due to lack of funding in the NHS. I'm still not sure weather to laugh or cry at that problem. Because funding my treatment could allow me to be a more productive member of society or I could end up having to claim benefits due to not being able to work 🙃. It's a system that is currently totally broken.

I will be writing to my new MP. I've already put a complaint into PALS.

@MigGirl same for me, I have conditions needing treated before I can work, It's been a long time and I'm starting to look into going private with loans from my family. For my other illness I've been waiting a year maybe since it was recommended i see a specialist on the nhs.