Feel really scared. Couldn’t go out last night and feel guilty today. Watched a politics talk show last night and it spoke about folk losing their benefits.
I think if I am seen out in public I will lose all my benefits. It is forcing me to become a recluse. The benefits people specifically ask if you can socialise. I answered I have problems socialising.
Am worried if I make a friend I will lose my benefits. Am really concerned about this.
Had to move this to Unusual Beleifs, J.
You won’t lose your benefits for being seen in public or making friends, that doesn’t make sense.
It’s good for you to go out, your mind is making up these problems as mechanisms to prolong your reclusion.
It’s more comfortable being inside and not dealing with people, people can be triggers and we like to avoid them. On the other hand, it’s worse for you to not deal with people and be stuck inside the house with no socialization.
You’ve been very paranoid, it’s something you should discuss with your nurse.
I know 100% you will not lose your benefits from making a friend.
That’s the thing - am not comfortable staying inside I hate it. But I can’t go out either. Honestly the uk system is very harsh and I really could lose my welfare if seen outside.
yeah, i think your brain is working over time on this, they dont check up on you about things like that the only way you would be penalised is if you started working and were flagged up for it i think.
i go to a website that helps me find out things and ask questions (there is a forum) and its called http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/ maybe it can help you too 
I really doubt that J… Take daydreamer’s advice and inform yourself to ease your mind. Daydreamer spends a lot of time outside, volunteers and travels, and he hasn’t lost his benefits.
Sorry for acting all helpless. I appreciate my ideas are not based on reality. The. Program I watched was very disturbing. Am going to meet my pensioner friend of mine today in the pub then going to my folks for tea 
Thanks for being forthright with me @Minnii - is what I need.
No need to apologize at all, sometimes we feel a bit helpless…
Glad you’re going out!
The question about socialising is a contentious one and like you I worry about it . It doesn’t help that they’ll deliberately and dishonestly score you as low as possible on it. That may or may not affect your rights to benefits dependent on how you score on other things.
For the last 6 years all I have seen socially, apart from family, is a group socially via the mental health rehab and recovery team for a year(2013-14) and from 2010-12 a befriender once a week.
That was enough for them to deny me full points for the question dealing with that aspect when it came to PIP.
Most weeks I have about 1% contact or less with others and that is delivery/shop people ,ie not those there to socialise, and when I go to the depot clinic.
Like you I am hesitant,aside aside from paranoia and severe anxiety, about any socialising because of the dishonesty of the benefits people and the way you can be easily penalised.
I do think you have to be in the UK under the current system to know how bad it is for the mentally ill.
I get you @firemonkey - this system is terrible. They assessor are trying every way possible that take points from people. Did you watch question time last night? That is what set me off
I think the benefits people are smart enough to know that people are able to have friends and be disabled at the same time. I think they are smart enough to know that having friends does not mean that your schizophrenia just disappeared.
The criteria they make their judgement on is what you cannot do. If you are diagnosed by a doctor and you can’t work than they will look at that. If you go out for coffee with someone I highly doubt they will stop your benefits. They look at the big picture and they want to know what the disease is doing to you and how you function.
I think you’ll be okay. As long as you don’t show up at opening night for the Oscars I don’t think they will begrudge you a few friends.
Am really frieking out right now. Don’t even feel relaxed home and in bed.
@firemonkey you are spot on about how you have to live in the uk to appreciate how bad the sentiment now is in welfare.
TBH am pretty sure I am not going to leave the flat till Christmas. I am done with outside.
I have just been arguing with a right wing voter who claims, in so many words, that all people let down by the benefits system are liars.
Doesn’t surprise me. We are second class citizens
Doesn’t @daydreamer live in the same town as you? You guys might even have the same person in charge of your benefits. If he can volunteer and go out for coffee every day, you can go to the pub with your friends. You are both being paranoid.
i dont think we will have the same people dealing with it as we are in different areas but i think it is a good idea to talk to your cmht about it and find out what they think, they are the ones dealing with these things everyday and they should know what to do.