would like to be self employed but can't figure a way

[teaker1s]

The back ground to this is I have previously become ill from the stress of social interaction in the workplace-because of my skills, I have been exploited to the point I became ill with stress and insomnia.

Please don't think for a second I am stupid as I had a �30k job six years ago and prior to that I worked as a mechanic(NVQ3 qualified). I have been diagnosed as Aspergers for since I was 16 and now I'm 28.

 

Basically I get

DLA middle rate care/ lower rate mobility

income support

incapacity benefit

housing benefit

Direct payments

permanent exemption from council tax due to mental defect-charming description

 

exemption from medicals and quite conveniently I see a social worker 0.5 hours a year to check my direct payments paperwork

 

Basically I have worked out that to replace what I get at the moment with an income and pay tax would cost �34777.92 before tax. As the direct payments play a large part of allowing me to be independent and as soon as I either got a job or became self employed I would loose them.

 

Next comes the other side of things, years ago I did an electrical course and recently I got asked by a self employed friend with his own business if I could wire up his conservatory. After informing him that I could but because of the current regulations he would need either building control or a part p qualified electrician to certify it.

I did the wiring and it was checked as fine, I then did another area for him and again this was certified a few months latter. I did it for something to do and because it gave me a project -didn't want any payment for it .

 

Then he said to me that my work is better than the qualified electrician he has used in the past and so impressed that he suggested:-

If I can't afford the course to become part p qualified he'd

loan me the money for the course �450

and the money for required kit �850

and if I needed a van he would let me borrow one from his business

 

Reason being his building business requires an electrician regularly and he would help me start my own business.

 

.

While I'm grateful for his kind offer I feel trapped as I can't see how I can try it as some of the benefits can be protected for a year-but not direct payments and could I ever earn more �34777.92 without making myself ill again? The chap is unaware of my Aspergers and I would love to do the course- but I need some guidance on if there is a way to do it

Edited December 7, 2006 by teaker1s

[mossgrove]

Where is the course that you would liek to study? It is possible that you would not need to pay full fees if you are not currently in full-time employment?

 

Simon

[teaker1s]

Where is the course that you would liek to study? It is possible that you would not need to pay full fees if you are not currently in full-time employment?

 

Simon

 

currently as stated above I do not work, the chap mentioned would pay the fees as it's at a college and a seperate course administered by a government approved body-I'm not sure it would be free as not technically college course.

more of an issue is finding a way that I'm not screwed if things don't work out.

[Mother in Need]

Teaker1s, I know exactly what you mean, I am in a similar situation workwise/benefits wise, if I were to go back to work I'd be much worse off, I dont want to be on benefits but have no choice, it is stupid, I want to work, have plenty of skills and yet I'll lose so much if i did....

 

I would suggest you go to CAB and discuss all the figures, and check if there are any rules that would allow you to keep your direct payments etc.

[cmuir]

Hi

 

I used to work (administrative post) for a further education college in Edinburgh. I realise that no two are the same, but I was very impressed with how students with special needs were looked after. In particular, we were always getting emails about Aspergers. Staff were asked to go on training courses - basically every member of staff (all 500 of them!) knew what an ASD was. There was a couple of students who has AS and staff were asked to look after them. My understanding is that all colleges have a Student Support. It would do no harm at all to phone up your local college (student advice centre) and be up front about your disability and advise them of the course you want to do. My guess is that if you find them helpful and understanding, then chances are you're onto a winner. Colleges have a duty of care to education and provide support.

 

Best wishes. Hope things work out for you.

 

NB: Don't know where you are in the country, but there's an organisation called Prospect which may be able to help. NAS would also be a good point of contact.

 

Caroline.

Edited December 11, 2006 by cmuir

[teaker1s]

Thank you for your kind replies:- since posting I have phoned the national benefits advice line (number withheld) and explained that "permitted work rules" would not really help and is there any other route.

They reckon that I can volunteer and provided it is unpaid there is no issue if my social worker agrees and will support it if I write to my local office/job centre.

 

Fortunatly my social worker seems to understand my situation and has agreed providing I'm not taken advantage of.

She has also stated that she will keep the job centre people from hassling me, as she understands the flexibility of volunteeriing is a world away from a job and also the type of job that they may offer wouldn't be financially viable as I couldn't manage with out support or afford to pay for it out of a salary.

 

I'm off tomorrow with my stepdad to a seminar to find out what part p is all about

[phoebe]

Well done you - I really hope that it all works out for the best for you.

 

Keep us posted!!

 

 

<'> <'> <'>

Phoebe

[butterfingersbimbo]

good luck!!!

[teaker1s]

watch this space & yes i will keep you informed of progress

[dooday24]

goodluck

[teaker1s]

Have signed up and the good news is that I'm being supported by my stepdad to do the course and I've been given �400 allowance off it, down side is there are compulsory books and another �300 pounds in fees I'll possibly have to pay.

Social worker is cool with it and will keep job center morons off my back

 

start 28th feb

Edited January 5, 2007 by teaker1s

[teaker1s]

Edited January 5, 2007 by teaker1s

[Kathryn]

Brilliant, good luck with it!

 

K x

[Rachelp2]

Teaker1s, I know exactly what you mean, I am in a similar situation workwise/benefits wise, if I were to go back to work I'd be much worse off, I dont want to be on benefits but have no choice, it is stupid, I want to work, have plenty of skills and yet I'll lose so much if i did....

 

 

I'm in exactly the same boat as you here and it's a real shame - If I go out and try to work round my son then I too will be worse off - I'm not proud of the situation I'm in but on the other hand I can't better myself until my son is older and maybe more able. (He attends mainstream school) I do a small amount of volentary work but cannot actually earn anything more for treats.... a holiday would be nice but shouldn't moan!

 

To you Teaker - Well done and best of luck - Hope it all goes well for you - You sure have a talent that's not going to waste

[teaker1s]

thank you for your support,

Rachelp2 there is more than one way to skin a cat

 

My particular situation is good because I have an understanding person to deal with, for instance I'm exempt from the usual ######, I can imagine that if you have the usual job centre types you could throttle them-well I could.

[teaker1s]

UPDATE

Now passed and qualified as 16th edition electrician, off in 3 weeks to do my inspection and testing

Edited March 22, 2007 by teaker1s

[dolly]

Well done thats great news all the best for the future

[barefoot wend]

teaker1s

 

That's great news - well done you!

 

Barefoot

[David Matthew Baker]

Congratulations. Hope the next round goes as well.

[teaker1s]

Congratulations. Hope the next round goes as well.

 

now fully qualified, step dad and brother have a business which I help out with (unpaid) couple of days a week.

Been told that that's okay as I have no payment.

 

This country doesn't accept bridging the gap between a job and state help, somewhere in between for me would help.

ideas on a postcard as the advisors I've spoken too don't help

[pearl]

Well done.

Careful what you say about job centre staff, thats what Mr pearl does

[Canopus]

now fully qualified, step dad and brother have a business which I help out with (unpaid) couple of days a week.

Been told that that's okay as I have no payment.

 

This country doesn't accept bridging the gap between a job and state help, somewhere in between for me would help.

ideas on a postcard as the advisors I've spoken too don't help

 

The Job Centre leaves much to be desired. You sometimes come across some really great adviser that happens to have knowledge of what you are after or is willing to break the official code of conduct to help you, but these people are diamonds in the dust.

 

Last year a former Job Centre adviser was at a meeting I attended about employment for musicians and people with musical related skills. The Job Centre adviser stated that the Job Centre is a complete shambles when it comes to helping people find anything but low skilled and casual employment. The problem can't be solved simply by better staff training because it is the result of a deep-seated fundamental attitude of senior civil servants. One reason the Job Centre advisor quit his job was because he was unable to help people such as musicians because of the system. He felt so frustrated.

[warrenpenalver]

the system does seem total madness!! I suppose the only thing you can do now is keep working voluntary until you get the experience and reputatuon to earn enough to come off benefits without loosing out significantly. its almost as if they dont want you to work!!! madness!!

[jb1964]

UPDATE

Now passed and qualified as 16th edition electrician, off in 3 weeks to do my inspection and testing

 

Well done - hope everything goes well for you.

 

Take care,

 

Jb