Just needing a vent...

Poppyangel2004

I have suffered with ill health since my early 20's which has gradually got worse over the years, I have always tried to work and to the point (until very recently) i was working from home around my health needs and my son. I have ended up being signed off by GP and have LCWRA and I am on high rate PIP for both. I am a worrier, I have severe anxiety and get very paranoid, my life is a none stop ball of stress and ill health and worry. I have my psychology degree and would love to be able to continue in that field, In helping kids (like my son) who are autistic and have mental health issues, and help therapeutically. I had found out the NSPCC have home based email counsellor volunteer roles where you can work around your health, at home and a couple of hours a week, the chance to have training and paid remote home based counselling work via email. Which would meet me carrying on my psychology and working round my inability to work outside the home etc. Now the paranoia kicks in, I spoke to a friend and she was like "oh well you start doing that they are going to question your inability to work and force you into full time paid work and take your LCWRA off you etc" so literally saying there is no point in me ever bothering trying to do something even little for me, to have a glimmer of hope making my life worth while. I just feel like I am in my early 40's and this is it, I am here to rot and wait to die. Things will get harder financially when my son (who is only 12 years old mind but this is how much i worry about EVERYTHING) that when he is 19 and out of education, the money that comes into the house to pay bills will be gone and I sit here and cry, because I never ever envisaged that I would be relying on benefits for me and my child's benefits to pay the bills, I wanted to be working so I could support him. I feel a complete and utter failure, by body and mind have failed me when I have so much to give and do. And I feel if I try and do something the job centre are going to jump on me and pull the rug from under my feet with any support I have now. I have had suicidal thoughts for many years, when things get really bad and I am sitting there thinking of all this stuff, and its gets so bad that you just don't see any way out and why am I here. We are so close to Christmas and I am just a ball of anxiety worry and stress, and the move over to UC etc has been stressful and Ive lost money which has caused stress too. I am sorry to offload, I just feel so down I just cannot attempt to do these things with the fear the DWP are going to penalise me for trying to do a little something. Thank you for listening to me and anyone who has any advice or kind words it will be so very much appreciated. Thank you in advance xxxx

Kimmy87

You can volunteer while on LCWRA, you even have a work allowance under LCWRA which is the amount of earnings ignored before any deductions will be made.

£404 if you get Housing Element, £673 if not.

Poppyangel2004

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/957893#Comment_957893

Would i need to speak to a work coach and whether doing anything will contradict anything? And do I have to journal that i am volunteering etc? If I wanted to part time study if I needed further qualifications is this allowed too xx

Kimmy87

With LCWRA you don't have a Work Coach.

You would need to report any volunteering via your Journal.

Part time study is also allowed with LCWRA.