Improving my life/ permitted work on benefits

[Hollyhock39]

Hi, have NC so I can post identifying info.

I currently receive ESA (support group) and enhanced PIP.

I’ve had a severe mental health problem since my early teens, now late twenties. This is most problematic when I am in public places as I then feel contaminated.

Then, 4 years ago I developed M.E. which unfortunately still affects me significantly today. I am still under the care of an M.E. clinic. I am chronically exhausted (not just tired) and really struggle with over exertion of both a cognitive and physical nature. I often slur my speech or cannot actually speak when this happens. My memory and ability to focus is also affected. E.g. if I take medicine and don’t write down what I’ve had, a lot of time I am not able to recall whether I actually took it. It would be fair to say that with the combination of my conditions I am very unwell.

Despite this I’d really like to improve my life. I’m very isolated and would like to meet people. I’d like to have some more money so bills etc weren’t such a worry.

From a google search it seems ESA does allow some ‘permitted work’, does anyone know if this would trigger me into being moved onto universal credit? I am in a full service area.

Thank you.

I don't think it would trigger a move to Uc but you need to be very careful as if they see you can work ( particularly when you are in the support group) it can trigger a re-assessment.

Maybe ask about the Work and Health programme?

No, don't ask about the Work and Health Programme, it's ultimately DWP run and has already been found to trigger assessments.

Have you looked at voluntary work? It would be a gentler step than jumping into paid work.

Baby that would be a concern. I know there’s lots of logistic problems in finding somewhere that would consider employing me too. Unless I could find something I could do self-employed.

Voluntary work would be a good stepping stone Bombardier , I would have liked to earn a little bit of money but I guess that has to be weighed up against the risks of jeopardising my existing financial situation. I did try to volunteer a couple of years ago and failed miserably, ended up relapsed with my M.E. but I could try again.

I have a friend in a similar situation, and she does from time to time volunteer in a charity shop and was given the ok about this. However she probably only does two half shifts a month max.

The WHP is run by Shaw Trust. Each Jobcentre will also have a disability employment advisor who could talk you through options

Link from citizens advice- www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/employment-and-support-allowance/while-youre-getting-esa/working-while-getting-esa/

Shaw Trust certainly used to be the DWP's contractor. They provided the Jobcentre's disability employment advisor, working actually inside the Jobcentre.

Some years ago, before Lord Freud's famous statement that "disabled people don't get enough hassle", I made an appointment with the DWP to find out what they offered disabled people eg guarantees to at least get interviewed when they applied for jobs. When I got there the guy said he worked for Shaw Trust and I had to register as Shaw Trust's client. They didn't offer me anything of much use. But they kept calling me for months afterwards because I was now their client. The bloke actually insisted on coming to my home. To "encourage" me.

My health was slowly getting worse at the time and a few months after the first meeting it dawned on me I wasn't going back to work any time soon. I did manage to get off their books eventually.

We'd established within the first 5 mins of the first meeting (once he'd shut up about Shaw Trust's history mission), that as I could read, write and write my own CV, and didn't need a ramp or special chair, they had very little to offer me. He mostly seemed to be interested in using me as a makework – presumably to receive govt funding.

I don't know what the relationship is now. But saying "The WHP is run by Shaw Trust" certainly doesn't mean it can't be ultimately a DWP scheme. And Shaw Trust hasn't exactly impressed me.

Sorry, that doesn't really help with your situation.

I hope you find something that meets some of your needs. I've focussed on hobbies for meeting people and having meaningful activity, rather than voluntary work.

This is largely because I simply can't be reliable enough to offer to work, paid or unpaid. But it has the happy side affect of not being anything that needs to be reported to the DWP (other than during medical assessments, if relevant).

The bureaucratic workload generated by any contact with the DWP is potentially much greater than the workload of the actual voluntary work...

I didn’t say it wasn’t a DWP scheme 😊

I second looking at voluntary work in the first instance. It’s doesnt need to be worthy either, pick something that interests you.

Another option to help with the isolation might be looking at groups locally who give talks, run events etc. Does Mind or similar run any courses in your area? Here they offer short courses (usually in small groups) in various things including a few craft related activities.

There are also some really good (free) online short courses you can do at your own pace. The open university has some, as does future learn.

Thank you everyone, some food for thought there.