How am I supposed to survive new benefit rules

[Canaryhead]

Maybe I’m in the minority but I’m under 22. I am also severely impacted by parts of my autism, I have high and low functioning aspects.my executive functioning can become severely impacted depending on how many ‘spoons’ I’ve spent, and then I can’t care for myself. I can articulate myself, not always but I have had humiliating public meltdowns that have drawn attention to me. It also causes me to self harm. I know about the spoon theory and certain adaptions that can make things easier for me, but my needs mean it’s easy to push me over the limit.
(just a note to ask if there are any recommended books on preventing these episodes)
I am estranged from my parents, I left home at 16.
I was working with someone to get qualifications but the funding for it in my local area was shut down.
under the new universal credit rules, I will be £400 a month worse off if I don’t look for a job, if I’m honest I don’t think there will be anyone who would hire me.I’ll lose my rent element and I’ll lose the money I use to pay for my support worker.
So now I am worried sick

You say you'll lose your rent element? Do you live alone? Would you consider doing a houseshare instead?

No I can’t house share because of my needs. Under the new rules if I don’t look for a job, I assume they’ll sanction me and eventually close my claim.

I’m going to lose my LCWRA element as I’m under 22 so I’m going to be £400 worse off, and on top of that if I don’t look for work I’ll lose the universal credit basic amount entirely as well as the rent element

Look for a work from home job, you have described your situation very accurately and I thought you must be well educated. Good luck , I hope it turns out well for you

Thanks, I’ll be looking for one but I doubt anyone would hire me and if I was self employed l wouldn’t get a living wage.
I’m not well educated at all, I have no qualifications and didn’t go to school.

I’m afraid considering all your disabilities the only viable option would be working from home. Looking at bus lane cctv and clear air zone cameras. Apply to your local council.

The rules gave yet to pass through parliament and will be for new claims. I'm hoping thus particular aspect is batted out of the way rather than imposed because it's going to hit a lot of young people and their families disproportionately hard.

I know it's easier said than done but please try not to stress too much 💐

How patronising.

what I’m trying to say is there’s going to have to be exceptional support to get me into work and keep a job and I highly doubt it exists to accommodate the needs that I have, I have a feeling I’m going to be highly stressed and suffering constantly

How old are you? I thought this is currently just a proposal?

First make an appointment to talk to a Citizens Advice advisor about this. Tell them when you make the appointment what it is about, as they may need a little time following the announcement for their advisors to receive training on the changes. They are unlikely to be able to find extra money to replace what you could lose, but they should be able to clearly explain what options are available to you.

Do you have any training or qualifications? What do you enjoy doing? It might make sense for you to find an autism friendly volunteering placement in the meantime. My company has taken on neurodiverse placement students and most have gone on to find a niche for themselves.

So don’t give up! You won’t be the only one in your situation. 💐

I understand this must be worrying and obviously no one here can judge your needs . However what would you like the long term solution to be ? Ultimately you do need a job that suits your needs although you seem negative about this possibility. So did you just want to carry on receiving the money but make no plans about the long term ?

You don't sound uneducated. You sound very articulate.

What do you enjoy? What makes you tick?
if you’re unemployed / off work you can also access tonnes of free courses - google it
’free courses for those on benefits’ which you can do from home etc too.

@DenholmElliot11 , exactly what I was going to suggest. I know many professionals (doctors, civil servants etc) who house shared until they were much older than 22.

Were you homeschooled? Was there any input from the local authority regarding your absence from school?

There will be a scheme to help people into work and a try-out scheme where you can try a job to see if you can do it worthy losing your benefits. Surely you could do something working in your own outdoors e.g. working as a street cleaner etc where you wouldn’t need to deal with people so much. Or a dog walker, window cleaner etc.

I imagine she didn’t go because she couldn’t go, and she can’t house-share either because she couldn’t escape socialising if that were the case. I’m sorry OP. I suspect the plan is for people in your position to be looked after by their parents until the age of 22 but this isn’t an option for you. How much longer until you turn 22?

You sound articulate, there are many jobs you can do from home that top up your earnings. Try not to stress.

what are the actual effects of your condition?

I have to say I fully agree with this, although I know it’s not easy to find a suitable job.

my DD is in her 20s with similar disabilities and added health issues. She hated just sitting at home not doing anything once she finished college. So, it took a while but she eventually found a job specifically for adults with autism, where she is very heavily supported. She receives an Access to Work grant to pay for taxis as she’s unable to use public transport independently. In theory her job is less than 10 hours per week, working from home for half of that. However in practice it probably takes her twice that due to her specific issues, but she absolutely loves it and feels valued. As she was growing up I didn’t think she would ever be employed yet here we are

please don’t assume there’s no jobs suitable for you. They just take some finding!