Disability

Post Reply New Topic

Why are many people here so obsessed with having a job? When you have Asperger you are entitled to Disability.

It depends on the laws and rules in the area where you live. I could not get full disability money, since I was not 'handicapped' enough. Besides that, working is a lot of fun and earns you some advantages. Now I have a company car, which I could not have afforded when I only had disability money. Working is also tiring and can be annoying, but I still like it.

My nephew is unable to find work and when he applies for jobs, he always goes for front of house or reception work which is not right for his condition. He cannot make the eye contact and meet and greet people in the way front of house is expected.

He has been unemployed since leaving university with 2 degrees and the Job Centre have not taken into account his Aspergers, so he is is just on Job Seekers' Allowance. Should he not be on some other allowance? How does he go about getting this? I only ask these questions as nobody is prepared to help him sort these issues out and I'm afraid he is not prepared to ask for help.

Is he not entitled to free bus travel? He does have a provisional driving licence, but we do not feel he is suitable to drive as he cannot concentrate on the actions required to drive a car.

Anyone's assistance in how he can resolve these issues would be greatly appreciated and I will do my best to pass them on and put him on the right path.

@Octavia, I pointed out before it is not your responsibility but his and immediate family. You are an aunt so not best placed to help him.

There is no great understanding of disability with Job Centres TBH. The disability benefit system is not supposed to be means tested but is. DLA is rarely awarded. Incapacity you can't have more then ~16K of savings or you will have to spend this first. It is also very inflexible, so if you can't make a living but want to contribute something, it is not always worth it. It is not supposed to be about specific label, but each situation. However those making the judgements, it is questionable what make them best placed to be there.

If you want to help best campaign on those disability issues, rather than assuming you can help directly. It is not you making a transition. You are merely a spectator from afar. You will never have all the facts.

Try not to be too scared of him, or fearing for him as this is not constructive, and I am sure you have other priorities.

The NAS has Prospects which can help finding suitable jobs. If his interest is in opera then they might contact English/National opera or something related. Even if he is not actually performing, just working there, it might interest him. It ok to mention Prospects, but try not to stick you nose in to much, or expect it to turn out the way you've planed.

1. To qualify for disability is very, very difficult. If you are able and willing to work, you likely won't get it.

2. Being on disability is dehumanizing. You can't do anything for yourself lest they revoke your "disabled" status. It's no way to live and the process to prove yourself disabled is intrusive and demeaning.

3. Going on disability when it's not the absolute last option disempowers you. You should strive to overcome and be independent, not rely on some government to dole out what you need to scrape by month after month.

Totally agreed. I would hate to be on disability, it does not give your life much direction.

I've been on disability since 2000, though I've really been unable to work since 1996. It was the absolute last option.

I didn't get it solely based on AS tho. It was mentioned, but the primary reason I got disability is "fibromyalgia" (actually Lyme, misdiagnosed).

Hi. I was in the same position two years ago. I'd completed a postgraduate degree, was jobless and went on JSA. The staff at the JobCentre were completely hopeless, had no clue about AS or even Autism in general. They kept sending me information and app. forms for jobs which I simply would never have been able to do (cashier at Tescos! I can't even shop in the place!). They do not understand that not everyone wants a shop or office job, they do not deal in careers - only small jobs which will not amount to anything except getting you off JSA. They should not be able to hold someone to ransom and make them feel guilty for not applying for a job, people should be able to hold out for a job which they will enjoy thus they will keep the job for longer.
I eventually came of JSA as the 'interviews' every fortnight were stressing me out. I've now found a job which I like, but have had to compromise on the environment - I dislike the office and it makes my AS worse.
Incapacity Benefit no longer exists. It's now the Employment and Support Allowance. I haven't tried this but reading the info it seems to me like if you're not have completely arrested development then you will be pushed into employment just like the JSA does, so I wouldn't recommend this.

You can get DLA for Aspergers - I applied and got it first time, although I was expecting a fight. I sent the application off but also included my report from the psychologist who diagnosed me, so if your nephew has an official diagnosis get him to send it with the DLA app. It doesn't matter if you are working, the DLA is awarded no matter what your employment status.

I also get free bus travel. However, this was harder to get than the DLA. I tried three times, the last time my GP added a note to the form saying he thought it would help my social interaction to be able to get on a bus and not have to worry about having/counting out the correct money. Also I have a problem with my balance so I get to sit down if the bus is full.

I guess I'm sticking my nose in here where it's probably not wanted but ... how do you know who is best placed to help him? She's already said the family is in denial - perhaps she can give them the push they need? Why shouldn't she do something constructive? Good on her for asking questions, I say.

Thank you for taking my side.... it is not about sticking my nose in where it is not wanted and I can assure you that I am not frightened of my nephew. If there are steps which can be taken and I can advise him then I will do so. I thank those people for posting positive responses and have already passed this information on.

I'm on Disability (not just for AS) and it's humiliating. I have to look in the mirror every day and know that I have absolutely nothing to offer this society and that tax money is going to keeping me alive. I am doing everything I can to make enough money and get off of it. Disability ruins your self esteem. You're unable to function in this society without the aid of the government. Who could possibly want that? Nothing bothers me more than my friends telling me they're jealous that I get SSI. I can't even get a job at McDonalds.

I would not accept a mcdonalds job. These lowpaid stupid jobs are humiliating and i am not going to make the shareholders even richer than they are. Their hamburgers, they can stick 'em up their a**.

And are you american? Then dont bother about the tax money, your government spends this on killing thousands of afghan citizens.

How are you supposed to afford a high-end home theater on social disability? My therapist once told me that SSI is barley enough to live, let alone afford a stereo at all! Plus, being on disability is considered uncool.

I wouldn't want to work for them either. That's not the point. The point is that even if I did want to work for them they wouldn't hire me. It's not very nice to wake up every day and know this. Yes, it is menial work. No, I don't agree with their politics. Still... I couldn't get a job there even if I tried. I'm not qualified in the social arena and unable to process simple instructions.

Disability is not a fun thing to be on and anyone who says we are "lucky we don't have to work" needs a major reality check.

ha!...well i have AS and i work in retail, i cant stand it at all, im only part time been working there for 2 years since i was 20 and its hell!! ive got people thinking i dont like them because i dont talk to them, (people have actually confronted me), managers that TRY and take piss and order me to do things that they would not tell others to do(prob because i have not built up a relationship, as other co-workers are often chatting or sucking up to the mangers) so i just stand out as if im being difficult on purpose) and the customers dont get me started "cheer up it aint that bad" "smile!"

plus the majority of the people at my work place are white and people thought i didnt like white people JUST BECAUSE I DIDNT TALK MUCH or go out of my way to chat to people. (funny how NT's come up with their own funny conclusions)

i would be happy to sit on benefits just to avoid all the misunderstandings that go on in the workplace, at least i would have some freedom! and i could study my IT or expand my net business and save up the disibilty money to use for my net business venture.