Universal Credit

[Emma94]

Hi I was just wondering what I can do about Universal Credit as currently I am on it, however they have set through a work assessment that I am able to work. I currently try and do an hour a week volunteering in a nursrey however UC are not saying I need to more. I usually end up fainting after 30 mins of doing this.

I have severe non stop bleeding which causes me to have endless pain. Was just wondering what I can do.

Thanks

[weekari]

Omg that's awful. I can't offer any advice as I've only just had my contract ended due to ill health and starting to look into benefits myself. It's a whole world I know nothing about. I'm so sorry about what you're having to deal with. It's such an awful thing to add to what's already such a difficult illness.

My long term hope is that I can create a job for myself that I can be self employed and mostly work from home so I can be flexible and not have to worry about sick days or days I can't get my clothes on due to my belly or can't sit/stand for more than 30 minutes due to my back pain.

I hope you find some useful answers. Xx

[RicEndoUK]

Hi Emma94,

Sorry I don't have any direct experience in this but can you talk to them to ask them to reconsider your commitment? Here is a link from the Citizen's Advice Bureau:

citizensadvice.org.uk/benef...

It also says "If you’re unhappy about the way your work coach responds to your requests you can complain by phoning the Universal Credit helpline."

Hope this helps!

RicEndoUK

Volunteer Moderator

[Steph1990]

Have you appealed the decision? If you have or haven’t have you got a report from your GP or specialist? Ask them to right a letter outlining how the condition is effecting you day to day.

My mother had hell with her credit (not endo related) but she ended up having to go to court with hers. Once she got in front of the judge he saw the medical reports and how poorly she presented and instantly reinstated her payments + back pay.

You don’t have to just accept their first assessment.

Good luck with it and hope you get it sorted!

[Lottie80]

I know this is not what you are wanting to hear but working can be really helpful for moof and self esteem, particularly if you have a health condition which makes you feel less well.

There are loads of different types of work out there. I believe there is a job everyone can do.

Rather than appeal, how would you feel about taking up their recommendation? It you were born in 1994 there are many, many working years ahead. Its where Ive met my fantastic husband and some of my best friends.

I hope you reach a solution your happy with. Xxxx

[weekari in reply to Lottie80]

I'm sure you meant well with this comment but it doesn't feel great to read views like this when it feels like trying to work would be impossible and actually harmful. I'm sure they're are jobs I 'could' do. Like, lying in bed, I probably 'could' stuff leaflets in an envelope but don't you think when someone is incredibly unwell that they should be entitled to receive benefits so that they don't have to endure agony or an increase in their symptoms in order to make money to live?

I've worked for the past 4 years while being so unwell. It was so bad for me to do this and I've ended up completely physically and mentally burned out. I have been off sick for 8 months and my contract was just ended on grounds of ill health. This was a high paid professional career that I spent 10 years training for, I'm gutted but I know I cannot do it. I know I now NEED to stop working and let my mind and body heal from everything I have forced it to do. I hope that this rest period, as well as the up coming surgery I'll have, will help me get back on my feet and I will be able to return to some type of employment. But in the meantime, I know that I need to not work.

We are not in this earth to be work horses. Life is so precious.

[Lilyano]

It really does depend on the severity of the endometriosis; and or adenomyosis. It is easier said than done, that working will help with ones mood. I personally know from experience! I've had decent job roles, but this chronic deliberating illness has disabled me, leading to me no longer being able to work. I have just stated a pain management programme, praying this may help. I am in receipt of universal credit, not out of choice. And an additional marginal top up, stating I am not capable of working. The work capability assessment can take a while for the assessment to come through. But it is similar to the Personal Independent Payment assessment. You will need to answer questions based on you 'worst days'. Just be honest.....

I strongly believe that in some instances, you really cannot push yourself more than you can. The body needs time out! DONT feel guilty...... Just try to take ,ensures to see what may be available to help with the day to day pain. Work will always be there. It is time now for us to work alternatively; albeit trying to find the right thing can be challenging.....but never giving up.

Gentle hugs.......