Want to work, disability stopping me

[Fibrosucks00]

I haven't been in work for a few years due to cfs and fibromyalgia. My last job reduced hours to 15 and I still struggled and ended up with a lot of sick time.
I feel so upset I'm not contributing to our finances and I'd love to be able to do something to help. I get no money from government and not entitled to anything.

Before I was diagnosed I did an access course in the hope to go into midwiwfy, I couldn't finish because I became so unwell.

If I could I'd rather work for myself so I can choose my own hours and work around my children. However pay needs to be reasonable to cover child care, I don't want to be working just to cover child care costs.

What can I do? Any ideas? I feel so useless. I even struggle with housework.

Sorry OP I don’t really have much advice but just wanted to offer a gentle hug. I have CFS and am clinging on to my career but I’m not sure how long for, just have to keep going. I hope you can find something you can manage x

what skills / qualifications do you have? are there things you can do from home on a computer? Some ideas

• Freelance website design / graphic design
• computer programming / data science (need v. good maths)
• craft / etsy type things
• part time admin role?

@Fibrosucks00

If you are too unwell to work, then you should absolutely be getting PIP, and if your household finances are low, your DP may also qualify for Carers Allowance.

If you have applied for these previously, but been refused, then apply again asap.

Read all the advice about how to complete the applications, because often people are refused simply because of how they phrased things or wrote things.

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/

This is a very useful site to help you.

I have fibro and chronic fatigue. I work in accounts. I'm able to work from home which really helps. I mostly cope. You can study AAT online at your own pace.

See if you can get a job in school administration eg as a bursar, Good hours, poor pay but won’t be too hard work, fits in with school hours and hols.

No advice on the job front but please look into SIBO as a potential cause of your fibro/Cfs. I was ill for 7 years - hellish tiredness, daily agony, brain fog as well as lots of random symptoms and it turned out to be SIBO. I’m all better now and I would have never thought that possible x

Thank you everyone for your comments. You have all been vee helpful x