Confused and scared

Scrumptious67

Hello

This is difficult for me to write as I've always been very independent and self-sufficient but I am struggling to get my head around what to do. I'll try to keep it simple but apologise if I ramble, my heads in a muddle.

Back in March 2024 I was made redundant. At the time I felt nothing but relief due to the stress of the job itself, disability discrimination toward me, and not knowing for 9 months whether our jobs were safe or not (contracts/TUPE situation). Finally we were told a new company were taking over and our jobs were safe. I then found myself in a redundancy pool of 1 because the new company wanted all staff on 12 hour shifts which I couldn't do due to my disabilites as I'd already been struggling with the shifts. I accepted the redundancy not knowing they were acting illegally. More fool me.

I felt only relief at not having to go back to that toxic place and fully expected (and needed) to take a year break from work. My mental and physical health crashed and I've not been able to get my old self back. I have no motivation despite trying my hardest. Over the last year I've been applying for part time roles that I felt I could manage to avoid applying for benefits but have had only 3 interviews and no offers.

My redundancy money has all but gone and I am on my own and scared. I don't know what to do and can't get my head around the benefits system, (it's like my brain no longer functions properly). The jobs I could do would be very local to me or home based and low stress admin type roles but they are few and far between with hundreds of people applying. I would be subject to the bedroom tax on top so really need some advice and guidance here. I can't believe the job market is so difficult right now, I would much rather struggle on part time pay but it looks like that's not likely to happen. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Adrian_Scope

Hello @Scrumptious67,

First of all, please know you're not alone in finding the benefit system and job market difficult.

In practical terms, it might help to focus on a couple of small steps rather than trying to solve everything at once.

Without know your full circumstances it can be difficult for us to give full advice, so talking to someone like Welfare Rights or Citizens Advice, or giving our Helpline a call on 0808 800 3333, might help as they may be able to give more tailored advice specific to you.

Generally speaking, you may qualify for Universal Credit, New Style Job Seekers Allowance or New Style ESA. Do you claim PIP or anything at all at the moment?

Scope also offer free employment services which might help you. You can read more about them here: Scope employment services

Scrumptious67

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1108792#Comment_1108792

Thank you Adrian for the advice. I do keep feeling so anxious as it is so overwhelming. I have used Scopes employment service already which was very good and keep checking their job boards too.

I am not claiming any type of benefits, just living very frugally on my redundancy money.

Scrumptious67

Thanks Catherine for your suggestions. Yes it's a minefield for sure, almost as if it's designed that way! How people manage to navigate it is beyond me especially when dealing with so much already.

Scrumptious67

Had I known at the time and had the energy/support, I might well have done. I was also already dealing with the disability discrimination grievance whilst going through all this and I had nothing left to deal with the new company. They broke me.