AS/ADHD and benefits (UK)

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I currently live with my parents and was considering moving out on my own, however, amongst other problems, I don't know if I could afford it.

I work part-time (less than 16 hours per week) and receive DLA, but I don't think I earn enough to live on without support.

I spoke to the CAB and Job Centre and they said I would be entitled to housing benefit to help with rent. They also suggested applying for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), but apparantly you can only work up to a year while claiming. I couldn't cope with a full-time job, but I think doing some work is good for me, so I don't know if ESA is an option. The other problem with ESA is that the "professionals" who do the medical assessment often score people zero points, even if they are obviously incapable of work. Some people have lost DLA after failing their medical assessment, even though they're supposed to be separate benefits, so it's a bit risky.

Another option is Job Seeker's Allowance, which you can claim if you work under 16 hours. The only problem I see with this is that you are supposed to be looking for work, which I won't be, as I'm happy with the work I'm doing at the minute. I mentioned this to the adviser at the Job and Benefits office, who claimed that you can arrange an agreement with your Job Centre Adviser to limit your working hours, and they may be willing to overlook the fact that I'm not actually looking for work.

The whole benefits system is so complicated, I can't get my hea around it. People in my situation used to be able to claim income support, but now you have to claim ESA instead... so what do you do if you are capable of some work, but not a lot?

Anyone have any experience/advise re; benefits in the UK?

Hello. I'm on income support and DLA and I will probably be getting housing benefit soon when I move out. Benefits are not easy to come by at all, I agree. Be very careful taking jobseekers or incapacity because ATOS like to tell people who are blatently disabled that they can work when they can't. It's even harder for us because we have an invisible disability. Also, if the government think you haven't tried to find work hard enough, they'll cut your benefits without warning. My friend and her husbands' Jobseekers was cut with no warning last week because neither of them 'tried hard enough' despite both having over 17 job searches in the past month. She now has no money for food or travel all because the government are a-holes...

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I have HFA, ADHD, OCD & Tourette syndrome. I love animals, especially my bunnies and hamster. I skate in a roller derby team (but I'll try not to bite )