Hi I'm new so thanks for reading!
I'm sure you've heard this a thousand Times but I'm a single parent who has been made to switch over to UC. I have been told that I now need to work 30 hours, 16 was hard enough to work around. I have no family and my sons father doesn't have contact. My son is 12 and developed mental health issues in 2022, severe anxiety, social anxiety, panic attacks. These developed into more serious self harm and suicidal thoughts. We have had a several rounds of help from the NHS, mind mate etc, his school is involved too. Although it isn't every day anymore there still are times of stress/upset when his struggles reappear. I can't leave him alone in the house for fear he will hurt himself. He can't be out on his own as he gets scared and has panic attacks. He won't go to summer clubs due to sever social anxiety ( I've tried and he's threatened to hurt himself) I am now being told by UC that I should just leave him alone for 30 hours a week when there is no school. I cannot do this, it's dangerous! I have applied for DLA today but the chances of getting it are slim. I also have to be a career too I think for them to take that into account? Which I wouldn't get. I already work , I'm self employed because it's the only way I can work around all this. Even at home I can't ignore him for 30 hours a week. I am a domestic violence victim myself (ex st*bbed me many times) so I have no qualifications and have health issues myself ( not enough for any DLA help anymore) I am now a stressed nervous wreck that they are going to constantly harrass me, we're not going to be able to survive on the money they give us, I can't work what they want me to or my son will be in danger. Any help or advice from anyone who has been in a similar situation is welcomed,
Thank you for reading x