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

If you already have this element you won't lose it. The amount will be frozen so you won't see year on year increases.

@Canaryhead you should look into doing a few a levels/gcses now while you can and do them part time. And then possibly do a course at open university. It’s doable.

Bloody Hell what am I reading!!!! FFS this is on Mumsnetters with disabilities not AIBU!!! Ableist responses or what!!

OP I’m sorry you’re having such a rough go of it on this thread with a bunch of posters who seem to have had empathy bypasses.
Firstly I wouldn’t panic. I would agree that going to citizens advise or welfare rights would be a good move. Find out exactly where you stand. I would also look at any of the right to try schemes that may pop up over the next few months which might enable you to have a go a working. Don’t write off yourself too soon.
what are your passions and interests? If you could do anything what would it be? What do you currently spend time doing? And then slowly build up a picture of what you might be capable of. In your situation and without any qualifications I would look to see if you could do anything what access courses from home to gain qualifications.
If you are at a point where doing anything is too much right now then I’m sure there will be ways forward for you. Don’t give up hope.

Yes and stop saying you can do this or that to top up earnings it’s very clear you don’t understand the benefits system

I also think it's full of vile responses. Disabled people are not lazy scroungers!

@Canaryhead have a Google for pathological demand avoidance. This may not necessarily be your issue but there's a great pyramid diagram that shows where you are comfortable.
Towards the middle you may be achieving - (Great! Most people would think)... As you head towards the peak.... Out of your comfort zone, shut down and self harm. It really resonated with me.
You're a bright girl, you will find what fits you, and you do have time. I'm not talking about working, certainly not in the traditional sense - led by time stipulations, line managers, section managers, area managers...
I've got 10 gcses and 4 Alevels
I've half a degree in computing with the OU... Can I keep a job? Any job? Can I fuck. Which is why aged nearly 50 I still end up being stitched up for self harming.

You keep being you at the moment, nothing is changing overnight and if or when change does come, there are lots of people to support you through that transition, and no, it doesn't mean throwing yourself in to paid employment.

OK? There's lots of us that understand, and we're here.

Hi, I can understand why you are worried during this uncertain time. I have young adult children with ASD your age with similar level of difficulties and I understand how hard it is to be a young person dealing with ASD. And I can imagine, it is even harder for you because of not having support. In the meantime, can you reach out to the Autism Charities as it sounds to me like you could do with some support regarding education, money and general wellbeing.

@withthegreatestrespect I see where you are coming from and I would never include this slur in my exaggerated account if it were not for the fact that my autistic son repeatedly uses it in reference to himself. It shocks me every time he uses it against himself. I wanted to share that shock and make it reflect my experience.

Sadly he can’t engage in any way with the world of work after his specialist placement failed - he only managed 5 terms of secondary school. He used to call himself a retard almost daily but it’s resurfaced with disability cuts. He’s said he would rather be severely mentally ill than autistic because the mentally ill are not retarded.

Maybe if he’d received support earlier he would not have this view.

The only thing holding you back is you. You seem articulate and intelligent so channel your energy into finding a job. You can't expect taxpayers to fund your non-working lifestyle forever.

@Canaryhead How old will you be in Nov 26? Isn’t that when the changes might come in?

Firstly I want to apologise on behalf of some of the replies on here. I understand how you feel in some way, as I'm also autistic, but I also have no idea what your life is like, and it sounds really hard.
You might be ok as the changes might not come in until after you've turned 22.
I need have lower support needs than you appear to, but for a while I did dog walking and house cleaning. It was quiet, I could do it in my own time, and I didn't have to go to an interview (I like to refer to interviews as autism-screening processes, since they seem to be designed to do just that).
I wish you all the best, and hope you'll be able to find even a small thing you can do.
I am disgusted in the government's attitudes that under 22s are not disabled, and I'm horrified that under a labour government we are having to have these conversations.
If I were you, I'd also speak to citizen's advice, as they are very knowledgeable and will be able to point you in the direction of more help.
I'm so sorry this is happening to you.

i feel genuine sadness for people that are now in this position. The reality is, a lot of people will be massively stressed and anxious but I feel changes do need to be made for the greater good. Some people quit at the first hurdle when it comes to employment simply because it’s easier to just claim benefits. The reality is we can’t sustain this forever and people (that can) need to pull their own weight. Believe me I get days I’m exhausted, anxious, stressed. I’m recovering from a brain tumour that has left me with side affects that most people arent even aware of. But truth is I need to work. I have a good job and my family need my wage. It’s not an option for me to hide under my illness- I have to keep going because people depend on me.

you’re so much more than your disability please don’t settle for less before you’ve even tried x

No worries, though I’ll try and keep it a little vague to prevent outing her!

DD stayed at college till she was 23, again heavily supported. She started with basic life skills such as cookery and gardening then moved onto a completely new area which had sparked her interest. The college then found her a job in a charity shop for a couple of hours a week, in an admin role. Essentially she was filing and doing data entry, but she loved it and gained confidence. She then did a few of the free online 12 week distance learning courses in business and admin. It wasn’t easy for her and a lot of the information needed breaking down into more simple terms for her, but she persevered.

A local (ish) charity then advertised for 5 young adults with either autism or a learning disability for a 12 month paid employment project. They loved her that much that after the 12 months of the project were finished, they kept her on in a different role closer to home, it’s honestly been tge making of her. She is also on full PIP and LCWRA but her wages of around £350 mean the absolute world to her.

so my advice to you for your DD, as well as the OP - find charities that work with adults with autism. They often have support groups etc where people can share experiences and information re possible jobs. Oh and definitely look further afield if at all possible - Access to Work can help with a lot more than taxis!

sorry that’s so long!

Bless you OP, you say you didn't have any formal education but you're coming across as very articulate so don't put yourself down, I'm sorry you had such a rubbish home life one way to look at it is they've ruined the past so don't let them ruin your future, you can turn this around as you're so young, there are loads of Government funded courses you could do, have a look and see what takes your fancy, maybe use this time to decide what you want to do in life.

One important thing you should consider that would have lots of benefits both to your self esteem and future ability to secure a job is either GCSEs in English and Maths or an equivalent access course. You sound very intelligent and literate, so maybe start with English? See what local colleges have to offer, hopefully this might be something very practical an autism charity could support you with.

Lots of office-based jobs require passes on English and maths which is why i suggest it.

I appreciate that without walking in your shoes its not possible to say for sure but if you have decided you can't work then you are probably right
You seem articulate and intelligent and are probably the kind of person who can contribute to society if supported appropriately

Who diagnosed your autism OP if you didn’t go to school? I’m wondering if there is any support you can access from there as they shouldn’t have just provided a diagnosis and left you to rot on benefits for the rest of your life.
I agree with other posters that you are very articulate and you will be able to have a fulfilling life with the right support.
The government did say they were ramping up the support to get people ,particularly young ones, back into work so there is hope from that perspective.
Try not too stress too much about the financial side of it for the moment because any changes will not happen overnight.
Best of luck. xx

It’s possible that your unusual and abusive childhood is far more to blame for your difficulties today than anything else.

This thread really highlights what’s wrong with the current hands off approach to home education.

My step son is severely autistic, global developmental delay and largely selectively mute. Life has been very insular in that he had a special needs school education, college up to age 22 and now he's doing voluntary work 2 days a week in a dementia cafe thanks to the support of his college looking for work placements for him.

Help is available for you OP, I know you feel you a job isn't available to you but you've never tried. If you have a Social Worker reach out to them for advice and guidance.

Access to Work is available to help you and keep you in work.

Life is hard and scary sometimes but you cant avoid that all your life. You might find something that you gel with and excel at xx

It's hard enough finding work when you don't have a disability. I really feel for you and others going through this.

For all the judgemental ignorant folk out there...

"Intelligent and articulate" in a person with ASD doesn't directly correlate with a person's ability to cope with normal everyday life, never mind trying to work as well!

It absolutely does not build character for me (I'm autistic) - it pushes me into burnout.

I do work, but forcing into autistic people in this situation (stressed, anxious etc) is really damaging.

Tell me you don't understand autism without telling me you don't understand autism.

You can absolutely be "articulate and intelligent" and not be able to work.

Evening, everyone.

We just wanted to pop by with a reminder that no one can ever really know what life is like in someone else's shoes, so please think carefully before posting.

We know that stories like this are in the news today and people want to discuss the idea of cutting benefits, but this OP has chosen to post on the Mumsnetters with Special Needs boards (rather than Chat, AIBU or In The News) so we think she should be able to expect a certain level of support and a gentle approach.

Advice can sometimes come in the form of 'tough love' but please just try to bear in mind that when you're in fear or at your lowest ebb, some kid glove treatment never hurts. Thank you for all the messages of support and advice. There are lots of really good ideas here and we're sure the OP appreciates that, too. Lots of things for her to look into here.

Good luck, OP. We hope one of the suggestions here turns something useful up for you.