Work Commitments Discussion

gingersnapz
gingersnapz Community Member Posts: 3 Listener
in Universal Credit (UC)

Hi all!

Just a very nervous lady here lol but I have a discussion with my work coach tomorrow about work commitments. When I was filling all of the tasks in I was asked if I had the ability to look for work for 35 hours a week - which I answered yes to, because I could try if I HAD to, but I genuinely think I would struggle. I’m autistic and currently awaiting an answer on a PIP claim, and have already stated that although I could work full time, I would really rather prefer part time, due to my needs and its something my parents agree with too of their own volition. Full time work led to major autistic burnout for me, which is how I was diagnosed in the first place. In essence, does anyone have any experience in requesting a lower amount of hours for your commitments? What sort of things did you say to your work coach? I’ve been putting off applying for UC for a while and just really want to make sure I’m not going to get myself into anything that will make me struggle more than I already am at the moment.

Thank you :)

Comments

  • WhatThe
    WhatThe Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 6,313 Championing

    Hi @gingersnapz and welcome to Scope 😊

    I think you need to correct what you've told UC about being able to work full-time; you can't sustain it and nor could I, being autistic. Like you, I could land a job but had a rotten time once a month which made me unreliable. Factor in any medical conditions or impairments you have and don't let them bully you.

    You need to be firm because the WC won't have a clue how your autism affects you and won't care about your wellbeing over their own job of making referrals and claimant appointments.

    I've had the worst experiences with dozens of them but perhaps they're a bit nicer where you are 😉

  • gingersnapz
    gingersnapz Community Member Posts: 3 Listener
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1149952#Comment_1149952

    Thank you so much (for every bit of this message)!

    I think I’ll do just that - I was only diagnosed last year, so I’m still learning to understand these things about myself. But I absolutely could not sustain full time work anymore, a few long shifts a week would be fine but not the hours I used to be on. I’ll bring this up to my work coach tomorrow, hopefully the change will be alright! I mean I would hope so with it being about my commitments and all 🥲

    So far I’ve had a nice experience with the job centre where I am, so fingers crossed that’ll continue lol

  • WhatThe
    WhatThe Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 6,313 Championing
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1149959#Comment_1149959

    And thank you for yours! @gingersnapz

    Congratulations on your late diagnosis and welcome to the club lol. This forum is the only place I have found people like me and discussed autism. I'm 10 years AD, as I call it, but I'm over the shock and confusion. I'm so glad you have parental understanding to help you manage this huge change.

    Yes, your commitments must be reasonable for your circumstances. You're obviously willing and capable of securing work which is a good start and their job is to help you stay in work. They can only do this by listening to you.

  • gingersnapz
    gingersnapz Community Member Posts: 3 Listener
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1149962#Comment_1149962

    Thank you for the welcome 🤣 I look forward to the day I’ve got this all properly processed but I’m just taking it as it comes atm! I may start using AD too lol

    Just wanted to give an update on today’s appointment - I discussed it with my work coach and she was absolutely lovely about it, thanked me for letting her know, and I’m now set as doing 20 hours of work searching a week instead of 35. It was a number I suggested myself, but if that ever changes she said we could figure it out as we go along, that at the end of the day she’s there to help me find work thats suitable for me in a way that is also best suited for me. She also changed the work hours I’m looking for from full time to part time which is great! I’ll be having weekly appointments, but I feel so much better about the whole thing now 🥲 Thank you for your help!

  • WhatThe
    WhatThe Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 6,313 Championing
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1150050#Comment_1150050

    That's the outcome you hoped for so I'm very pleased for you @gingersnapz

    What's your line of work, if you don't mind sharing that? I ended up learning a trade and using my hands after trying retail, office work, hospitality and a dozen other fields 😅

  • Rachel_Scope
    Rachel_Scope Posts: 4,887 Online Community Team

    I don't want to derail the lovely conversation you are both having but just wanted to say how happy I am that your work coach was understanding @gingersnapz. I'm so glad that @WhatThe has been able to help you 😊 It's always good to talk to someone who understands what you are going through and it looks like you found that here.

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