Illness, disability, part time self employment and benefits?

[bigissue]

I have a variable health chronic health condition which means that I have good and bad days my disability is not fatal but during attacks I am bed ridden. I have attacks on average around 15 to 20 days out ofthe month which may affect me for either part of the day or the whole day to avarying degree. Fair to say my illness is extremely unpredictable and that unpredictability is in itself part of the issue I have with working for an employer. On some days I can be totally fine. If I were able to find an employer who was able to accommodate my poor health that would be great but as I don’t know whenI will be ill and given how frequently I am taken ill I can’t think of any employer who would take me on.

 

I am currently on ESA in the support group but due to be reassessed soon and it is my expectation that I will either lose my ESA totally or beplaced in WRAG. The long term future for anyone with a health problem which limits their ability to find work looks bleak. In the past I am sure that there were schemes that enabled disabled people to work part time from home / self-employedand in addition claim some income support or working tax credits however looking at the new Universal Credit this looks like it would be impossible it you are unable to commit to full time or regular fixed hours.

 

I had been thinking about using some of my creative skills to try and work as self-employed from home on a part time basis which would allow me to accommodate my own poor health but looking at the new universal creditit looks like I would be subject to all kinds of sanctions and conditionality such as workfare which would defeat my purpose in going self-employed.

 

It makes me feel very depressed like there is really no way out, almost as if this government want people to be on benefits and forced towork for free for companies like Poundland rather than try and start a business or utilise any real talents they might have.

 

Please tell me that I am wrong about this and that there isa way through all this?

Edited July 8, 2012 by bigissue

[Pillow69]

A lot will probably change and become (hopefully) clearer before Universal credit comes into play. They are starting phasing it in next year in selected areas - will take about 4 years at least before everyone is transferred over to it. Don't forget it's only for means tested benefits. Don't let this put you off or get you down - speak to an advisor in your local JC - if you get a good one they will try to help you and let you know what courses are currently available - even suggest 3rd parties who can help with what you need to get started up.

[bigissue]

I do hope that things will change for the better before this is all set in motion, at the moment it looks awful for many people. I do intend to contact CAB or another local advice place to see if they have any advice but I think they are struggling with the new legislation as well and are currently over stretched. It is very hard not to feel very depressed at times.

[RaeUK]

bigissue, didn't you have another thread about this? You're on ESA. Use the Permitted Work Scheme. You can earn up to about £95 per week for a year, working up to 16 hours per week, without affecting your ESA / HB or CTB. This includes being self-employed.

In the unlikely event you fail an ESA assessment then simply appeal and remain on the assessment rate. It's quite straightforward ...

[bigissue]

bigissue, didn't you have another thread about this? You're on ESA. Use the Permitted Work Scheme. You can earn up to about £95 per week for a year, working up to 16 hours per week, without affecting your ESA / HB or CTB. This includes being self-employed.

In the unlikely event you fail an ESA assessment then simply appeal and remain on the assessment rate. It's quite straightforward ...

 

I'm not so confident that I will not fail ESA reassesment seeing as I was only ever awarded 6 months, perhaps I am being pessamistic but as I am sure people here understand it is hard not be at times. I often worry about a future on either JSA or WRAG where I am either too sick to attend or need to leave a mandatory work placement early due to my health condition which could be up to several times a week. I was told previously that this would lead to sanctions even if I had a pre-exisiting medical condition and that I had better apply for ESA SG or prepare for sanctions. I was lucky to get ESA SG for a short period but already they are reassesing me.

 

Also As fas as I know the option to earn £95 a week only lasts for a limited period, not sure what happens after that.

[RaeUK]

Yes, as I said, it lasts for 12 months. However, they are looking to expand this with the changes to benefits over the next year or so. At the moment you can do it for a year, if things don't work out then nothing is lost as you just remain on ESA. But you should know within a year if it's for you or not.

If you're not well enough for work then you don't go on JSA. Stay on ESA. I don't believe you get involved with anything else whilst on the Permitted Work Scheme ...