UC and working

[strugglingto]

I have name changed for this to get advice, but I am utterly embarrassed about what I am about to write.

I am a single parent to 6yr old dd. No family or outside help.

I have been on medication for depression and anxiety since 2008. In 2015 I was sent to hospital due to anxiety as my heart rate was through the roof.

I am still suffering with this largely. I am not living, but rather existing.

Before my daughter was born, I worked full time. Since she was born, I have worked 16 hours a week.

My anxiety and depression has worsened over the years. I have now gotten to the stage where I cannot do the shopping, I don't cook. My house is a building site/tip and I just cannot cope. I am constantly exhausted. I just cannot get on top of anything no matter how hard I try.

I have put on 2 st since covid and suffered a terrible bout of health anxiety.

This is the worst bit, I no longer take care of myself. I don't bathe for sometimes weeks on end or change my clothes. I sleep in the clothes I am wearing that day. I know this sounds disgusting and I am utterly ashamed.

Universal credit are not asking me to look for more work or a different job. Having put in the plan that I can work monday to friday. There is just no way I could do this. I am struggling to cope with working 16 hrs at the moment. I am now having meetings asking me over and over to look for more work. I jst feel I cannot do this in my current mental state.

Any advice on this would be much appreciated.

I have just worked out my hourly rate. It is coming out at £11.25 which is less that NMW. That can't be right surely?

Sorry to hear you're struggling. If you're working 16 hours a week I would have thought you would meet the AET and UC credit would not be on your case like this. I don't work as many hours as I should for the age of my child and nobody ever contacts me because my earnings are still above a certain amount.

It should be 11.44. Is that your take home? But it sounds like you might not be earning enough for tax. Do you get payslips, they should show you, and they legally have to provide them.

If she's earning below minimum wage, that might explain why she isn't hitting the AET and its illegal to boot, but might explain the trigger for a meeting.

I'm pretty sure the AET equates to 18 x nmw.

Yes, sorry, I think you're right. But checking the hourly rate is worth doing in any case

I was earning enough until they recently changed the AET. I just multiplied my monthly wage by 12, divided by 52 and then divided by 16. Comes out at £11.25. I am quite shocked actually. This is the civil service too, hence my comment out it surely can't be right.

Is that your wage before tax though? Does seem odd.

Does your payslip show your hourly wage? Mine did even when salaried as public sector and on a pay grade.

Was going to say what you covered in your reply.
This is good advice OP.

I think it's great you have continued to work no matter what. But taking on more is not possible for you.
The doctor can sign you off or I think on the Fit Note there is another option for limited work etc.
All in all hopefully then it will get you a work capability assessment.

OP- just read out your initial post to the GP, they will take it from there.

You need to go onto your UC account, go to Report a change of circumstances and then health. You'll be able to report your current health, if you don't have a specific diagnosis, put worsening mental health, you'll be asked if your health affects your ability to work, say yes it does, you can self cert for 7 days, then you'll need a fit note from the GP.

A fit note for more than 28 days will prompt a referral for a work capability asked, but you'll also be able to discuss with your work coach what hours you can manage.

Please, OP, speak to your employer! My situation is different: I'm on UC but deemed to be working enough so I don't have to look for work or attend jobcentre
Last month I had a horrible experience literally being chased down the street and harassed by a random crazy who ran off, then crept up behind me, run off again and horror of horrors reappeared on the bus I caught where he started again. I was in bits, got to work and they made me call the police. I called work (I'm contracted to a company who supply me to venue) as I was late clocking on. My supervisor has been AMAZING. pointed me in the direction of help, reassured me and just listened
Hope you heal soon

I should add I have suffered stress related illness before: daily migraines, mouth ulcers panic attacks and all this resurfaced as a result of the incident. I managed to keep working. Can't thank my supervisor enough

It's sounds like you should be on ESA or whatever the UC equivalent is, where they don't make you work at all. And maybe apply for PIP. You say you struggle to bathe, clean your home, cook etc..these are the things you can get PIP for.

I don't get the ESA thing, I know someone on that, I thought the fact the first letter stands for Employment? Meant it's about doing some work.
The person I know who gets that says she can't do anything.
In pain in the week when you would usually be at work, but if childcare is available, out every Friday and Saturday night dancing standing the whole time and going home 3/4am.

@Redruby2020 for ESA there is a support group, where you don't work, and a work related activity group where they make you do courses and workshops and stuff. You can work on ESA upto 16 hrs a week but must declare it as it reduces your award sometimes.

Is that the amount you receive in your bank?

@Redruby2020 If you're struggling with day to day tasks like bathing, cooking, cleaning then you could apply for PIP? Have you done that?