Washing machine question?

I have autism and many other problems with anxiety made worse by having sanctions at the Job centre because I was unable to attend the work programmes.
I'm going for an ESA assessment tomorrow and I read that they ask if you can use a washing machine, and if you say yes then you get 0 points.
Can somebody please explain to me what difficulties anybody has with using a washing machine, as I thought even the most disabled person can use one?

Hi Anne,

(I'm not an official adviser but I think I know the answer.)

Is this for ESA/ Universal Credit? If so, it probably falls under the descriptor 'Learning how to do tasks' (because obviously you had to learn multiple steps involved in running the machine- selecting the cycle, putting the detergent in the correct area etc.- which would be difficult if you had a learning disability or dementia) mostly but the question could also be used to work out what other difficulties you have (e.g with pain, mobility, concentration etc., all of which could affect your use of the washing machine).

If you don't have difficulty using the washing machine but it took you a very long time to learn how to do it; if it takes you much longer each time you use it or you experience difficulty in any way then do tell the assessor.

If you don't have a problem with the washing machine but do have problems with other tasks then make sure you tell them. Or perhaps you learnt how to run the washing machine by being shown multiple times by your parents but you could not learn a task of similar complexity (e.g. operating a shop till) if shown by a stranger/work supervisor because you would feel overwhelming anxiety (due to your Autism) and be unable to concentrate on the task in hand.

Basically if it's ESA/UC then if you can do basic tasks they might decide that you can do a basic manual job too. If this isn't the case then you need to explain your difficulties- state everything as clearly as possible.

Hi anne,

I am not an official advisor either but act as appointee for my son who has autism and learning difficulties.

When i first saw the question, i was thinking 'how is setting a washing machine any more complex than an alarm clock? Surely you just turn a dial and press start!"


But if you think about it the entire process of loading a machine, selecting the correct programme and unloading again at the end is more complex.

So with my son

- he doesnt recognise when things are dirty. He wouldnt understand why you would want a hot programme for some clothes, whereas other fabrics and light soiling need a low temp.

- sorting the washing, emptying pockets, loading the right amount of clothing.

All a problem for my boy.

He would stick to the same sequence each time. If we showed him how to start a 60 degree programme and told him put socks in on 60, we would likely find one pair of socks in there going through a full wash cycle on their own.

Then there's things like what if the machine fails to work. My boy would not be able to turn to the trouble shooting guide and know how to sort a simple problem using the manuel.

Equally, if the machine started and was making a dreadful noise due to him having put a shoe in there or it was just way off balance, he wouldnt address that by turning off and draining it.

It's all the variables that can cause a problem.

Sometimes washing finishes and it needs an extra spin. My boy wouldnt be able to determine that and select the programme - all this would take so long to teach.


So i think there is more to being able to operate a washing machine than just selecting 60 and pressing start!

People who are visually impaired can struggle to use washing machines. Its not impossible though if you use braille or coloured dots to mark programmes. Even if you can use a washing machine you may be found unfit for work on other grounds.
Im in the support group because I'm visually impaired and have walking difficulties due to multiple sclerosis, but I still manage to use a washing machine.