UC and Studying.

AnitaPajaczek

Hi,
I am 33 years old and I am Autistic (Asperger’s syndrome). I also have PTSD. 

In May I was granted limited capability for work and work related activities (higher rate). I was told than that I can apply to College and still keep my UC, which I did. I got unconditional offer and I was very excited to go to school as it was my dream, but could never afford it.
It was all ok until I went on UC website and I read that claiming PIP/DLA is requirement. I actually applied for PIP but it was not successful. I will appeal but it can take up to 8 weeks and school starts on 29TH August. I literally cried my eyes out today as I have spent so much time to make portfolio for this Contemporary Arts HND course. It was the best feeling in the world knowing I can peruse my passion. Also I was looking forward to challenging my horrible social anxiety.
What can I do? I can not afford Studying if I give up UC and just claim student loan and bursary. Are they any exceptions from the rule ,,no PIP no UC”? Or any other support? Or do I need to withdraw from school?

calcotti

AnitaPajaczek said:

..Are they any exceptions from the rule ,,no PIP no UC”? 

No, assuming you are single, you have to have been found to have LCW/LCWRA and ve in receipt of a disability benefit.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/universal-credit-and-students

AnitaPajaczek

Single, have LCWRA but I don’t have any disability benefits. 

Anyway - thank you for answering me. I bet I will just have to move on somehow.

Ross_Alumni

Hello @AnitaPajaczek and welcome to the community, thank you for making your first post.

Sorry to hear of your situation, I can imagine that it was really disappointing to learn that the previous information you had received was incorrect. 

Will you be proceeding with the PIPMR MR regardless? They do generally take quite a while at the moment but we've seen the odd occasion when the MR is completed fairly swiftly.

In terms of your well-being, you mentioned in your post that you have autism and PTSD, and you also touched on social anxiety. I just wanted to check whether you feel as though you have enough support in place to manage your conditions? For example, is your GP aware of them and do they provide support to you?

poppy123456

Even if you did have a PIP award, if there's a student maintenance loan available to you, regardless of whether you take that loan then it will affect the amount of UC you're entitled to.

AnitaPajaczek

Ross_Scope
GP is aware of my condition. Last year I had over 10 sessions with psychologist and I was referred to Tayside Adult Autism clinic for further help. I am waiting now a year and I was told it takes up to 3 years.
Regards my PIP I am going to proceed with appeal.
I do not feel that I have enough support and I have really difficult times coping. I am very ambitious person and I am hypermath (aka NERD). Lack of purpose and helplessness is extremely depressing.
 I actually have Micropigmentation qualifications for permanent makeup, scar camouflage and areola but I have no money to start up my own business nor enough social skills to deal with clients. I would like to start my own business one day but social anxiety is for me just as big issue as lack of money.

I thought that by going to school I can actually not just gain higher education but mainly I can challenge my social anxiety and learn how to interact with people. I wouldn’t want to take business start up loan and not be able to work because I would have panic attack every time I am about to see client.
 I am single since 10 years and I have no family not friends here. It is lonely sometimes and I need want to find my tribe to have sense of belonging if that makes sense.

Ross_Alumni

Hi @AnitaPajaczek

Thanks for your reply.

I'm glad that your GP is aware of your condition and that you were able to access a psychologist last year, how do you feel that went? It's a shame that it takes so long to get support from the autism clinic, fingers crossed that they can see you sooner than the predicted three years.

Sorry to hear that you don't feel as though you have enough support in place, have you discussed this with your GP? If not, it might be worth getting in touch with them to have a chat about how you think you are managing at the moment, to see if they can provide any further support for you. Mind have an information page here about what you can do to help yourself cope, which you may also be interested in accessing.

I think your reason for wanting to study makes complete sense, it can be a useful way of overcoming barriers while developing skills and knowledge of an area you are interested in. Have you considered whether further therapy would be of benefit to you? It could support you to more effectively manage your social anxiety and panic attacks. Have you considered NHS talking therapy before?

While starting your business may not be something you do right now, you could always consider reading resources such as this one on the Scope website to further learn about becoming self-employed and starting your own business. It's always good to learn in the meantime  

AnitaPajaczek

Hi @Ross_Scope
Therapy that I had was CBT and I found not suitable because analysing problems from different perspectives is what my brain does 24/7 anyway. It was not for me and psychologist said she can either offer me different kind of therapy or I can wait. I read about other therapies offered and I concluded that none of them will actually be suitable because I am so neurodivergent that I need help of someone who is actually specialist in Autism. My counsellor admitted that I am right. We both agreed that until I get appointment from clinic it would be the best for me to become part of some Autistic society. I reached out to couple of them but all they do they just listen and this is not what I want. I don’t want anyone to just hear me out and repeat ,,yes I understand it must be difficult”

It’s shame there is no Autistic women  community in Scotland. Swan was supposed to be one of them but they are completely useless too. They responded to me after over half year…
I was offered help prom penumbra and other charities but, again - they just offer listening. Not what I am looking for. I want real life situations and genuine human interactions that I can learn from. 

GP only offered Diazepam and Propranolol which made me feel restless and nauseous. I don’t want any beta blockers any more. It’s not for me. 

Thank you for taking interest in my post and reply. I feel that taking business start up loan is the only resolution for me right now and is probably what I am going to do. Hopefully along the way I will get appointment in Autism Clinic so I can have some mentoring in regards professional interaction.

Kind regards
Anita P

Ross_Alumni

Hi @AnitaPajaczek

Thank you for your reply and for explaining, I really appreciate it and what you say makes complete sense. I hope that you will be able to access the specialist support soon, you'll have to keep us updated about it alongside your intentions to start a business  

If you want to have a chat about any other subjects on the community, please find a few notable pages below if you feel like getting involved:

• The virtual coffee lounge which is one of our categories, in which we play games and talk about general subjects such as hobbies and interests
• The recent discussions page, which shows an overview of everything happening across the community
• The categories page, which shows a full list of discussion groups on the community

Geoark

@AnitaPajaczek

Something I have not seen mentioned, talk to the college that have made you the offer before deciding not to go ahead with the course. They will be able to go through your various options with you. At least they may decide to let you defer until next year once you have sorted out if you can get PIP.

Whilst I can see how the business start up loan would seem like the only option open to you now it is something I would not recommend for you, without some form of mentoring in place. Starting a business can be stressful in itself, along with the other stresses you mention in your life. If things did not go well you would then be adding financial stresses including how to pay for the loan. It would be better to work on the social issues first to at least give yourself a chance. I am not saying it is undoable at this point just to make sure you have some support and mentoring in place to give it the best chance to work.

As I mentioned speak to the college before making any decision. If they are happy for you to  defer starting until next year you could look at improving your social skills by doing some voluntary work. While it may not be what you are interested in, perhaps consider volunteering in a local Scope charity shop. My sister worked for a few years as a manager in a charity shop, and my daughter volunteered in a Scope charity shop whilst at University. As someone who is autistic she found the experience enjoyable and the small team with some social interaction with customers easier to cope with and help to give her an outside support system away from the university. She has now worked with M&S in one of their less busy stores for 8 years and while it has not always been easy, especially in the first couple of years, she has done well for herself and is well respected by staff and regular customers. Social issues are not easy to over come, but it is possible to get to a state of mind where it becomes bearable. But from experience it comes in small steps and building on successes to get the confidence.

I wish you well in whatever choice you make. 

AnitaPajaczek

Business Gateway is going to support me through the journey of starting up the business. I just spoke with them and I have an appointment. 

Regards volunteering there is absolutely no chance. I avoid all shops and I order everything online. Charity shops especially are off putting because they smell horrible and the idea of touching used clothes that often come to store unwashed is disgusting. I know I am being brutally honest but it is what it is. 

I know myself well enough after 33 years.

 I also know I am unable to bond with people who are not having the same interests as me. That’s why I wanted art school because other classmates and teachers share my passion. 

In meanwhile, while writing appeal for PIP - I will call College and ask them if they offer some additional financial support for students with disabilities.

Thank you for your advice. 

Kind regards

Anita