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

A working from home job might be better for you? Or working in a shop! Have a look and see how you get on. You'll never know if you can work, if you don't try.

Look for something like this in your area
https://events.hertfordshire.gov.uk/local-offer/inclusive-job-fair-watford
There are jobs for people with your needs

Have you looked into any CICs (community interest companies) in your area? Lots of them have volunteer hubs/placements/opportunities to gain work experience, in a safe and supportive community.

Would you let the OP have a list of the local councils that have these roles as "working from home" - because most every councils I know (and it's a lot of them) have inter-authority command centres. In other words - working from an office.

I do take your point, but would like to point out that- DD was recommended for this job from her voluntary job of two hours a week, which college found for her.

i am severely disabled myself and won’t be around for much longer, so it’s imperative DD builds a support network around her. There is no extended family at all. Please don’t assume life is all a bed of roses here as t certainly isn’t.

@Canaryhead if you would like to pm me please feel free and I can give more specifics about what helped DD and where maybe you could look. I really do wish you the best

A job could be life changing for you, and a house share could still mean living alone just in a wing of a house. Explain your condition and the right person will understand and accommodate you. Of course it will feel daunting, but I work and have a disability and so many companies are trying so hard to accommodate these days. Not all is lost. A life on benefits is not much of a life op. It’s an existence.

I have autism and couldn't hold down a traditional job. I'm self employed, I work on my own terms and earn a decent amount.
Do you expect to receive benefits and do nothing your entire life?
Stop looking at what you can't do and think about what you can, because the world doesn't you a living.

@nearlylovemyusername

people in supported living can work, the better living environment and support workers get them into a position to work then get their own housing.

How is this patronizing?
someone who has never been to school and has no qualifications…what employment do you think they should be starting to look for?

Hi OP, I'm autistic too but a lot older than you. I don't receive any benefits at all right now and in the next six months or so I will need to do some sort of work.

I'm going to do self-employed cleaning, 10 hours at £17/hour. That's £728/month. I've done it before and it is tiring but you only need to earn £400 so you wouldn't need to do many hours. I've always just done a leaflet drop....as Facebook attracts a less desirable clientele generally.

Not sure how I'll manage spoons but I don't have any choice.

If you use the money now to pay for a support worker surely you can use this as evidence of your ongoing need?

Have you considered supported living? Charities like step-by-step help vulnerable young people by placing them in like a family hime where they are giving their independence but given support and a bit of a leg up! Help with budgeting, cooking etc. whatever you need. I’m a social worker - it’s a great scheme and I think most counties have something like that. I agree with PP you just need some guidance and support by a friendly adult in a home environment. Like a mentor.

I was being “unschooled”. I didn’t get any formal education. I was being neglected in more ways than one due to my mother’s mental health. But there’s no compensation for anyone like me

I’m going to ask about it

Unfortunately life isn’t about compensation. You have to deal with the hand you are dealt.

As far as I know the new rules aren't even decided yet. You will get support hopefully to get employment. There just isn't enough money to fund the ever increasing benefits bill. You can't just spend the rest of your life being supported financially by other people

That's a very defeatist attitude. Think positive and apply for any vaguely suitable jobs. You will get something if you try.

You can see the tide has turned against the disabled and long term sick. Apparently now we're all lazy doss-abouts who aren't trying hard enough.

I've read about this all over all forms of social media very recently. It's genuinely horrible.

I'm sending you a big hug xx

This is why we need the changes to many young people not doing anything because they don't think they anyone will employ them. Encouragement hasn't worked so now the issue needs to be forced.

I was being physically and mentally abused at home, so I can’t.

I'm sorry you experienced neglect OP but the fact that you mention being compensated for this says quite a lot about your mindset imo.

My advice is to ask for a referral to Social Prescribing via your GP. They will have tonnes of info on services that could support you with education and training to get you into work. There are always council run schemes in my area aimed at upskilling under 25s and some of them even partner directly with local employers to place people who complete the course into jobs at the end. The entry requirements are non existent. You just have to be willing to show up and give it a go basically.

They can also link you into ASD specific services.

Your attitude is poor, OP. That’s your first major issue here.

Full of reasons why you can’t, and not one “but I am good at…” statement. In a way it’s not your fault - you say yourself that your confidence is shot and you’ve watched other people go live their lives.

While you say you’re not educated, you are articulate and have good insight so you’re clearly not an idiot.

I think you can probably do more than you think. Ultimately, you have few choices here, I’d imagine. Hopefully you can sort this before the financial impact hits. I imagine there’ll be many more like you competing for help from work coaches etc, so address it soon.