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

Who is going to employ all these high support needs people in droves ?

I was born 50 years ago. Things were far from ideal in those days, but there were certainly benefits for those people who couldn't work due to disability, including people who were autistic or had mental illnesses. And there was more supported living/support into work. OP said that she was trying to get qualifications, but the course provider was closed down.

I'm all in favour of people being being able to get into work rather than relying on benefits, but for a lot of people that means spending extra money in the short term, for education, training, supported placements, training for employers etc.

If a 22 year with no qualifications or work experience, with a history of ill-health, fluctuating levels of hygiene, and a propensity to forget things or have meltdowns when stressed or overstimulated applied for a job with you, would she make the shortlist?

I have friends who have children with a similar level of disability to OP. Some of those children have found meaningful, satisfying work. And do you know how they got there,? It wasn't through their parents starving them into desperation. It was through years of fighting tooth and nail for support and opportunities for their child, and paying for therapy and assessments and tutoring and transport and housing. And even then, in most cases they still can't work full-time. OP isn't getting anywhere near that level of support and investment, and maybe she should get those before being yelled at for being a useless scrounger.

Our local Waitrose has workers that are very obviously disabled. One young chap has an occasional melt down, Everyone just gets on with things and he does his job.

I think bigger employers are trying to become more "inclusive" (hate that over used word, but you get what I mean).

Try M & S too.

Not a made up role, for a start.

Is anyone actually reading ops posts?

You have used heavy sarcasm when addressing an autistic person

same for Boots, they are big on inclusivity

would you be able to do something like stacking shelves?
I did it for a bit when my hours were cut during covid - it was actually quite therapeutic - you turn up, grab a trolley of stuff and then just replenish the shelves, making it all line up etc. you don't have to talk to anyone else as often in an aisle by yourself.
much better than my ' day job' which is full of emails and deadline and clients wanting the moon on a stick!

Cleaning?

What are you interests and skills? are you crafty, could you make stuff at home and sell on etsy?
What are your main triggers - is it noise, is it stress? interacting with strangers?

It's not normal for neurodiverse people to be forced into stressful jobs. What is wrong with people on this thread? If she doesn't have the coping capability due to her disability, who is going to employ her ? And all the others. And why isn't the government not actually helping the country to get healthy and offering adequate support to all who need it ? The junk shitty foods all cheap and abundantly available would be a good place to start , as would support hubs for community in every town of the UK. So people fell less hopeless and alone. Its all wrong.

@Canaryhead don't despair just yet.

This is still a 'green paper' that means it needs voting through and that's not going to happen for another 20 months. November 2026.

If you are already receiving these benefits then it's unlikely they'll just stop because of your age. The age thing is likely going to be put in place for new claimants.

It's bloody tough and worrying at the moment, I'm one of those worrying.

Do you have a Facebook account? I know, I'm nearly 50! If so Pm me, don't give me your details but I can recommend a wonderful supportive group to you, that has everything listed as to what has been proposed and when it might happen.

Don't give up, stay strong, you're joining millions at the moment who are confused and sick with anxiety.

If you do want to think about making changes then Qualifications would be a good place to start. You can do things completely online, tutor led online, or in person. English and maths are always free if you don’t have GCSE’s at c or above.

Is there anything you’d like to do, not necessarily anything academic, but anything you’re interested in? Learning a language for fun, craft, cooking, drawing, local history etc? You could do something from home for just an hour a week.

Is that something your support worker could help you with? Or with looking for additional support?

Don’t panic though, tiny baby steps is what’s required.

i think heavy sarcasm when clearly labelled is easier for autistic people (just going by my sons) to understand than gaslighting by the seemingly concerned.

You are articulate and write really well. A first step should possibly be education. English GCSE would be a good start (free at your local college). You do need to make small steps forward - for yourself, your future.

I disagree. You have also used a slur that imo should never be used in a sarcastic sense or otherwise.

Compensation for what?

And who are you expecting to ‘compensate’ you?

There are jobs out there for you - you sound very intelligent and articulate. Good luck finding something that you enjoy

This isn't meant unkindly, but you say you are under 22. What are you expecting to do for the rest of your working life?

I've just scrolled up and whilst I appreciate people are trying to be helpful (I'd hope)... Can the job recommendations and suggestions of what someone could or couldn't possibly do, stop.

Even if it is well meaning, its not helpful. Nobody here posting can know what any other person is capable of, let alone start recommending roles.

There is a long way to go. People don't need to be throwing themselves from the frying pan in to the fire right now.
So those with zero knowledge of how this is affecting people, however well meaning (or not!) please just let the frying pan settle on a low heat for a while, and not turn it up to burning point.

This really. You honestly can't just give up at your age. You sound articulate. You have your whole life ahead of you. Don't waste it.

If you have never even tried working how can you possibly know how you would cope with it or whether or not you are employable. Your attitude is exactly why govt have had to bring this in - you are quite reluctant to even try

Yep.

But of course, these people don't exist on many MN threads.

@Canaryhead the changes won't be in place until at least 2028 i think

Most of the responses on this thread are actually disgusting to read.

Hi, my DD sounds so similar to yours and would absolutely love to find a job like that. Do you have a link or any advice please? She's on full PIP and LWRCA but is desperate to earn money herself