Jobhunting / benefits

[kathboo]

I don't know what to do for the best and wondered if anyone would like to offer some much needed advice! I used to work from home as a travel agent but gave it up over a year ago as I was making no money. I am a single mum so switched to income support which kept me going while I was being tested and awaiting a diagnosis for all these awful symptoms. I believed my walking and arm difficulties were due to a trapped nerve or similar and I'd be fine soon and then concentrate on going back out to work. However, I've recently switched to JSA as my youngest child turned 7 at a similar time to me being diagnosed with MS. I am keeping my eyes open for a part time job that doesn't involve any walking, and on a good day I could do this fine. However, I can have 3 good days and 4 bad days a week. On a bad day I haven't got any energy, can't walk, struggle with my vision and can't even speak perfectly. Is it sensible to commit to a job? If not, I feel more depressed as I'm only 32 and I feel like I'm wasting my life and of no use. But then again if I work and find I can't do it I may be more depressed. Do MS suffereres qualify for any other benefits?

 

Sorry lots of questions there but I'm confused!

 

 

 

Thanks so much in advance

Kath x

[Christina]

Hi Kath

It sounds like a difficult time for you. It's not easy in the job market for anyone at the moment, and add to that the fluctuations in a condition such as MS and it becomes even harder to find anything suitable to your needs.

 

Certainly working from home part time, around what you can manage would be the ideal, but there are few jobs available like that unfortunately. You can only keep looking I guess and hope something comes up.

 

As for other Benefits, you would be eligible to apply for Disability Living Allowance, which is non means tested and you can continue to claim it even if you get a job in the future. It's not an easy benefit to be awarded. They will look at how your MS affects you on a day to day basis, both in terms of your mobility and whether you need any help with care. It's definitely worth applying but a diagnosis of MS on its own is not enough to award the benefit.

Chris x

Edited 9 Mar 2012, 2:48 pm by Christina

[Bigbird]

Kath

 

You could try for DLA. There are several different levels but you may be entitled to something. It's worth trying anyway. Don't let the forms put you off. If you need assistance and there is a dial house locally they will help.

 

BBx

[Bigbird]

Sorry for repeating Chris's advice. My connection was playing up and took about half hour to send. It had mysteriously switched providers!!!!

 

Chris feel free to delete my post

[mustard]

Hi Kath,

I can empathise with your plight regarding work as am in a similar position myself (although I don't have children so that is a big difference obviously)... it is difficult to imagine a job that will be tolerated by the MS or that will tolerate the MS, however I just figure it is best to just keep looking and eventually a job will come along that suits both employer and employee. There are so many options out there for employment in different ways and levels of flexibility.

For example a part time job on flexi time could be very good because then you could go in when you felt able and do more hours perhaps on good days and less/none on bad days. I know it is hard to find the perfect job let alone imagine what that job might be. I guess what I am trying to say is that it is easy to get caught up in the thinking of it and worrying about the future and it can suddenly seem overwhelming and impossible. How can we imagine doing a job when we don't know what the job would be etc? So the one step at a time approach is definitely what is needed here, keep looking and applying for ones you might be able to see yourself doing and take it as it comes. If you apply for a job it doesn't mean you have to take it in the end, so it can be worth applying for ones or enquiring further about the level of flexibility they can offer. A lot of jobs don't advertise the fact they are flexi time but more and more places are doing it now with this whole work/life balance thing being so promoted for employee well being.

 

I'd also recommend taking advice from citizens advice or a local disability charity about what other benefits you maybe entitled to as well.

 

Good luck with it, and remember, one step at a time :-)

 

Mustard x

[Scully]

Hello Kath,

 

As the others have said, it may well be worth you applying for DLA. The forms are off putting as they are lengthy and complex, but the local CAB will often help you there.

 

In fact your local CAB will probably have all the forms there, and maybe others like housing benefit, and moving from JSA to ESA ( employment support allowance ). I would be inclined to give them a call and maybe make an appointment, just to see what they come up with for you.

 

The employment situation isn't great at the moment huh? But if you feel you can work and want to, then I guess you can only look at what's on offer in your area and decide whether or not you think you can manage the hours and if there is any chance of flexibility.

 

It's a difficult one for sure.

 

Scully

x

[kathboo]

Thanks for all your advice. There's so much to think about, and yes I agree Mustard, liooking too far into the future is no help. Baby steps xx