Universal credits and endo

[Chronic21]

Had to go to the job centre today and I'm in the middle of a flare up. My experience today has actually got me stressing out and anxious. So before I'm even seen by the case worker while I'm sat waiting I over hear a guy say "I'm here to see if I could fit in today as I can't make this appointment" to get a passive aggressive answer of "well your here today, your fine right now, why can't you make it" "well I'm going into hospital so I can't make it" "are you staying over 24hrs" "possibly we won't know until after the procedure" "we'll then ypu can make the appointment then"

Case worker got annoyed my partner was coming with me and stated 2 times "just Sara please" the second time quite aggressively. I had to explain I'm in a lot of pain right now and he is just making sure 1 I get to the chair safely and 2 I don't collapse and hurt myself more. She atleast appologised after that and was pleasant to deal with, and asked for accessibility needs for the next appointment, I said if its a good day then I can do the stairs if it's not it could take me a while.

I'm just wondering as I've never truly sighed up for universal credit like what should I expect as I e heard horror stories and them pushing you to the limits needing sick notes for missing appointments everytime or face a sanction. It's putting me in so much stress just thinking about it that it's making this flare up worse.

What are your experiences with job centres and staff, how do you get it across that endo isn't just a bad period?

I'm also extremely worried because of what I witnessed, I'm currently on zoledax treatment for the foreseeable future (minimum a year) I get the every 4 weeks on a Monday I get it done and then I'm flat out for the rest of the day I can barely travel around my flat afterwards. I also have my smear coming up where legally I am not allowed to do anything for 12 hrs due to anesthetic, but I'm not kept in over those 12 hrs which means I'm not exempt. How on earth do I navigate all this.

I am trying my best to get back into work but trying to find an employer who...

1 doesn't shame me for being sick is gold dust

2 doesn't set my ptsd off because they always get it their way and screw anyone else's feelings.

3 actually listens to what is a reason for me being how I am and not telling you "all I hear are excuses"

4 actually offers a supportive environment.

I'm actually scared, worried and ultimately I just feel defeated. I'm trying to heal and there just seems to be very little compassion.

[Loveneige]

Oh my I feel your pain! I'm currently in work but has reduced my hours significantly as I struggle with fatigue, severe periods and pain all the time. I am a single Mum so I get a certain amount of help but I am scared I can't keep up with my hours (17) I have heard they are quite harsh on people and its not fair for those who genuinely suffer.

Do you get ESA or PIP?

Finding a job os SO hard when some days you can't go in. This is why I do part time and hope my bad days fall on my days off!

I'm currently waiting for a hysterectomy, endometrioma and endometriosis excision and hoping my life can start again.

[Chronic21 in reply to Loveneige]

Never applied for them as it was only recently I knew about esa existing so I'm looking into it. Pip I didn't know I'd be entitled to, and after seeing how they have treated others on their assessment, I got it in my head not to bother as it would probably induce more stress and harm me further.

[poppy75]

Hi there. Are you applying for universal credit as in jobseekers or universal credit that’s replacing esa/disability?

[Chronic21 in reply to poppy75]

I've never had esa or pip...Esa I didn't know about until recently I'm looking into it.

Pip I honestly don't think I'd get it as I mask really well and I've been doing that for more than a decade I don't know how to stop. I've also seen the stress of the application process and that in itself has mad me worry.

UC is because I have become unemployed and I am now out of savings to stay off it. My last job ended in January. So it's been 2 months with no work I have tried and had interviews with no luck.

[poppy75 in reply to Chronic21]

Ok so it’s universal credit jobseekers. ESA is being phased out and replaced with UC but that’s claiming for disability if you’re in a position where you physically can not work. Yep, applying for UC disability is incredibly stressful but after 25 years of Endo I had no choice but to leave my career as it became longer and even more disabling + other health issues on top. I can’t advise re UC jobseekers - hopefully someone else can. It’s worth applying for pip whether you’re working or not working if your symptoms are debilitating more than half the month every month. It is very difficult to get but worth trying. Good luck.