Asperger's/ASD and the Job Centre

[Echo]

Hi guys and girls,

 

As time goes by, my situation at home is dramatically deteriorating.

 

Both my partner and I have recently lost our jobs (self-employment is not going well either due to the economic climate and living in one of the poorest areas around Wales).

 

All of our skills and qualifications are in our specialist interest areas (music/digital media/creative industries)... we are running out of our savings (in fact, well into our overdrafts), are not on working tax credit and it seems that there are no jobs out there which I can do at all! So, the only option I have at the moment is going on the DOLE

 

Now, I understand that if I go on the Dole/JSA etc... when they offer me a job, I have no option but to take it (even if it means working in a supermarket or a cleaning company...). IT'S NOT THAT I WON'T DO THAT! I CAN'T DO THAT!!! The people, smells, noise, light etc...would be way too much for me to handle (I also have a severe skin condition and can't go anywhere near bleach etc) . I'll end up either having a meltdown, becoming really ill, walking out or being fired. If I do that, they will not allow me to go back on benefits (even though I don't particularly want to go anywhere near benefits IF i can help it - in the first place). So, I won't be able to have the necessary resources to sustain any kind of healthy life.

 

I am currently on a part-time degree course at the moment and will have to give that up if I have to have a part time job even, because there is no way I'll be able to handle the over stimulation of doing these two things at once.

My partner, music and degree are the only things left in my life that keep me (partially)sane.

 

I do not currently hold a AS diagnosis, but am waiting for my referral appointment to come through. How do I explain to them that I cannot take certain jobs on or that I can't do two things at once? Especially without a diagnosis (or even a degree of understanding of

he syndrome/process etc... on their part).

 

Anyone out there with any other ideas on what I should do?

 

Thanks

[BruceCM]

You'd probably be eligible for other benefits, whatever they're going to be called - ideally, you'd have some back up for what you're saying about work you can do? Otherwise, I think you'd be a bit stuck, sorry!

[Sally44]

Have you tried the National Autistic Society for some advice?

 

As part of seeking a diagnosis, you need to bring up the sensory issues you have and ask for them to be assessed - usually by an occupational therapist.

 

There is also Disability Discrimination Law that may be helpful but I don't know enough about it to quote it.

 

Basically, yes you would be expected to go for interviews for jobs etc. But if you have a disability you need to let the Job Centre know, and to detail the kind of things you can and cannot do.

 

Citizens Advice may also be able to give you some information, or give you details of somewhere else to get the information or support you need. They could also help with a benefits check. Most benefits require that you do not have savings over a certain level, but it is something like £8000 or more. Again I don't know the specific amount.

[trekster]

The main problem i have with benefit agencies on the phone via the job centre is when they get annoyed at you for not knowing when you were last paid. As bank statements arent live theres no way of knowing when i was last paid without going to my bank. Also i wasnt expecting that question to be asked. 'you must know when you last got paid as it is most of your income' actually it isnt DLA is more income for me.

[Special_talent123]

Trekster _ the alwaysdi, i say wednesday dla/ thursday esa u work it oyt 2 weejky minthly or weekly

Edited May 9, 2013 by Special_talent123

[trekster]

as im paid every 2 weeks I was unable to work out whether it was pay week or not. also she was inaccurate in her description of income support being my main income its not.

[Canopus]

My advice is to steer clear of the Job Centre at all costs. Their staff don't understand (or recognise) AS which means that they do not make any allowances or concessions for people with AS. You are very unlikely to find creative jobs advertised at the Job Centre and most of the jobs they offer are unskilled or menial. You don't even need to visit the Job Centre to see what they offer because you can now check all jobs on the internet. Finding decent helpful Job Centre staff is like finding diamonds in dust. By and large the Job Centre staff are miserable, fed up, rude, unhelpful, unsympathetic, misunderstanding, vindictive, threatening, out of touch with the realities of the job market, or any combination of these. They subscribe to the attitude that a job is a job and they will threaten you to take unsuitable jobs or else face benefits sanctions. They have targets to meet by their managers which is why they rarely differentiate between their clients based on individual circumstances. The terms and conditions for anybody claiming JSA is to spend every hour searching for paid employment. The DWP does not like people on JSA from doing voluntary work although they can't stop them, but if you tell Job Centre staff then they will require a letter giving proof that you are not being paid before you can claim JSA.

 

My advice would be to continue in self employment and claim WTC while you still have the chance. From April 2014 new claims for WTC will finish as part of the transition towards Universal Credit. Self employed people on UC will be in contact with DWP staff and hounded to take minimum wage jobs if self employment isn't making enough money.

[Seeto200]

Hi guys and girls,

 

As time goes by, my situation at home is dramatically deteriorating.

 

Both my partner and I have recently lost our jobs (self-employment is not going well either due to the economic climate and living in one of the poorest areas around Wales).

 

All of our skills and qualifications are in our specialist interest areas (music/digital media/creative industries)... we are running out of our savings (in fact, well into our overdrafts), are not on working tax credit and it seems that there are no jobs out there which I can do at all! So, the only option I have at the moment is going on the DOLE

 

Now, I understand that if I go on the Dole/JSA etc... when they offer me a job, I have no option but to take it (even if it means working in a supermarket or a cleaning company...). IT'S NOT THAT I WON'T DO THAT! I CAN'T DO THAT!!! The people, smells, noise, light etc...would be way too much for me to handle (I also have a severe skin condition and can't go anywhere near bleach etc) . I'll end up either having a meltdown, becoming really ill, walking out or being fired. If I do that, they will not allow me to go back on benefits (even though I don't particularly want to go anywhere near benefits IF i can help it - in the first place). So, I won't be able to have the necessary resources to sustain any kind of healthy life.

 

I am currently on a part-time degree course at the moment and will have to give that up if I have to have a part time job even, because there is no way I'll be able to handle the over stimulation of doing these two things at once.

My partner, music and degree are the only things left in my life that keep me (partially)sane.

 

I do not currently hold a AS diagnosis, but am waiting for my referral appointment to come through. How do I explain to them that I cannot take certain jobs on or that I can't do two things at once? Especially without a diagnosis (or even a degree of understanding of

he syndrome/process etc... on their part).

 

Anyone out there with any other ideas on what I should do?

 

Thanks

 

 

I'm sorry to pick apart your post but I do so with the best of intentions

The jobs market is highly competitive so really need to take whatever you can get hold of unless you are prepared to launch your own business. you are going to have to deal with the less appealing aspects of a job, as there really is no viable alternative. I have to deal with people and social situations constantly which makes me highly uncomfortable, but I suck it up and do it because if i want my career to advance I have to.

 

If you need help getting over your fears and anxieties then speak with a therapist, they did wonders for me at difficult times in my life.

If you keep being picky about what jobs you want to do the job center will eventually cut you off.

 

You need to treat your unemployment as full time job, you can't rely on the Job Center to find you one. they are the most useless bunch of idiots I have seen and you could get more results on your own.

 

I hope I haven't offended you, but I know what it is like to be told your entire life what you can't do because you have a condition.

[Tanya52]

Just a tiny suggestion!

 

Some month ago I’ve heard a chat on the BBC Radio 4 with a Ukrainian lady (in her mid 40^th?) who’s a professional piano player. She’s lost any hope to find a job she was trained for and started to post her classic piano lessons or other staff on the YouTube. I understood that she’s doing pretty well: has lots of subscribers/followers, some profits from ads and selling her own CDs.

 

Valentina Lisitsa

 

 

Edited September 18, 2013 by Tanya52

[Echo]

Thanks for your posts guys and gals.

 

I'm happy to say that I have a PT job now as a studio engineer (due to start in October). Luckily, I went nowhere near the Job Centre.

 

I aquired the post through doing work experience for my degree.

The owner of the studio was so impressed with my knowledge and capabilities that he did not want to miss out on a chance to work with me again

So, he decided to employ me.

 

Seeto200, you haven't offended me, it's ok

 

Every opinion is appreciated as I can only see things from my perspective unless other people tell me what their feelings are etc...

[Tanya52]

That's brilliant! Well done! X

[Seeto200]

Thanks for your posts guys and gals.

 

I'm happy to say that I have a PT job now as a studio engineer (due to start in October). Luckily, I went nowhere near the Job Centre.

 

I aquired the post through doing work experience for my degree.

The owner of the studio was so impressed with my knowledge and capabilities that he did not want to miss out on a chance to work with me again

So, he decided to employ me.

 

Seeto200, you haven't offended me, it's ok

 

Every opinion is appreciated as I can only see things from my perspective unless other people tell me what their feelings are etc.

 

Your welcome,

Good luck in your new job