UK changes to the sickness Benifit in the UK

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I was just wondering if anyone from the UK with aspergers that receive disability Benifit are worried about getting their Benifits stopped, i receive these Benifits as i am unable to work right now,and this Benifit helps towards me being able to function as a person.
I can't go out in public as i get so stressed so having a car is my life line..also i study at home as going into public settings is a NO as interaction is a big problem for me, so this Benifit helps me pay for my car and petrol to get around and also my internet to study at home...if these Benifits are removed from me my life will be over as i have no means to pay for these things that make a huge diffrence to my life.
I am a person that has struggled most of my life with a great deal of problems from age 5yrs and only now am i trying to overcome them.
So when i have to go for a face to face interview to find out if im able to work or not just scares the life out of me, i come across as mid spectrum with aspergers and for people that are not trained might see me as able..without really understanding my life is hell every day just trying to cope with this condition ..never mind finding a job..i can't even sit in the same room with a group of people without feeling overwelming stress..i find it difficult to go outside my door without a major plan ..have a social worker vist me every week..and sad as it might seem look forward to him coming as he is the only person apart from my family that i do see.
My mother is also worried because she would be left with the burden of coping with me..and yes sometimes i have my moments and my dad has just had major surgery so not an easy task.
Has anyone had the same worries about all of this?

Hello,

I can't directly answer your question, but I wanted to suggest to you that you write down a list of all of the things which are difficult for you on a day-to-day basis (e.g., social situations or busy environments cause me overwhelm from sensory overstimulation and therefore I have to study or work at home, I have trouble understanding verbal instructions, I cannot do X thing because of Y thing, and so on) and give the list to your interviewers along with your diagnostic report, explaining that you sometimes have trouble communicating these things and that it would be helpful for them to read it and ask you any questions they have.

There is actually a great form/leaflet on the UK autistic society website to fill in for situations like this which will give them a detailed idea of your day-to-day difficulties rather than relying on the way you come over in the interview. I don't have time to look right now but I will try to remember to come back with the link later.

I know that if it was me I would feel that would take some of the pressure off me in explaining and I am sure they will be understanding as they are there to deal with people who have such challenges.

Good luck with it!

Maybe try printing this and giving it to whoever interviews you?

Don't worry about writing loads to back yourself up. Go through what exactly will happen if they do certain things and how it will affect other parts of your life. Good luck.

Thanks jinks,
I have been worried sick about this as soon as i found out as i am really trying to help myself move forward..I would LOVE to be able to work it would be a dream come true for me,and hope that i will when i manage to overcome the major problems i have..but having this condition makes my life a living hell every day..even to the point of giving up on life but i keep trying to fight back..hoping one day i might just have a normal life like everyone else, thanks for the advice

thanks also mljt, trying not to think about too much in case i go into meltdown

Hi lonelyguy,

Here is the link I mentioned. The UK National Autistic Society recommends printing this leaflet and filling it in to take with you to official appointments like benefits assessments and job interviews so you are able to communicate your needs clearly. I think it's very clear and helpful and because it is a NAS document it should also be of assurance to the people assessing you, so I hope it helps you and gives you a little more confidence with your appointment.

http://www.autism.org.uk/living-with-au ... ocacy.aspx

Thankyou so much Jinks
I printed it out and might get some help filling it in when i have to go for my interview..at least i might not have to explain so much as its difficult for me to talk about my problems with people..just hope they will take the time to read it!

Just to reply, I am on higher care DLA and ESA support group. If you want to receive an anything don't tell them you're capable of using a computer. In their eyes, you're perfectly fine if you have concentration good enough to drive, study or write something logical out. If you can drive, then you have good manual dexterity, so you're capable of work.

If you want to get anywhere, you need to tell them you can't use a computer or phone properly, you can't communicate with people (computers and phones included) and struggle to get on. If you fail to show them this in a medical, they will leave you with nothing. You can have as much medical back up as you like, but if you don't put on an act they will think you're lying. Their job is to filter the claimants out, not to hand out benefits freely.

Be very careful and read up on the atos examination. It's not fair but that's the way it is.

If you tell them that you can't use a computer or a phone when you actually can, then you are lying.

Why should this person be deprived of benefits? If he tells them straight, he most likely will. As someone who suffers from extreme social issues, I would rather not be on JSA when I get sanctioned for being too scared to go in the JobCentre. Honesty get you nowhere when it comes to Atos.

Until the benefit system changes for the better, the only person you're hurting is yourself.

My actual point was that if you give them a piece of paper with how your condition affects you on it, they will think it's all lies. So this person has to actually 'show' the assessor his problems. They actually have a piece of paper where you have to have atleast 15 points. If you can drive, use a computer or use a phone, you will fail the assessment in 99% of cases.

Last edited by cherrybanana on 02 Oct 2012, 4:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Agreed. But if like me you can only use adapted pieces of equipment, you say no. Because I can't use "normal" equipment. Well I can; but with great difficulty.

My local NAS branch officer once told someone to ensure that he has someone with him for his assessment. She has offered to come with me when I have mine.

I can type on certain keyboards, always on lappies. I can text, not very well though. It's a yes or no question. No room for details. I can use a phone, not very well and I get angry, but yes I can use one. No room for detail. So if I said it as it was I would starve. Simple as. It's lie or starve. So actually, I'm not too bothered about it.

My motto is you've gotta do what you've gotta do.