Possible part time work and benefits

[matt2206]

Hi all

 

I have a question I need a little advice on and I thought this would be a great place to ask.

 

I am currently on Incapacity benefit and DLA (Low rate mobility & middle rate care) for mental health reasons. I have been wondering a lot lately if maybe I could go back to some form of work, and was recently offered some part-time work approx 15 hours a week.

 

My question is how will this affect my benefits? I don't want to mess them up at all, just to find I am still not capable and have to start from scratch ( i find the form filling and scrutiny very stressful).

 

Thanks for your advice in advance

[antone]

You could look into IB Permitted Work - more information available here.

[BethM]

Incapacity Benefit does indeed allow for some permitted work.

 

Have you not heard anything yet about being migrated to ESA? (Employment and Support Allowance) All claimants on Incapacity are being moved to ESA and the target to finish these moves is 2013 before they introduce Universal Credit and PIPs, if you have already started a form of permitted work on Incapacity Benefit it will make it much more unlikely that you will put on ESA and will be told you do not meet the criteria and you should claim JSA instead. Most claimants are turned down for ESA at the first hurdle when they are applying only on mental health grounds, as you need to score more than 15 points and there are not enough in the mental health section to get you through.

 

It is well worth making an appointment to speak to a Benefits Specialist at your local CAB if you can in advance of them changing you to ESA so you know what to expect and don't shoot yourself in the foot by starting permitted work now.

[poollie1]

Incapacity Benefit does indeed allow for some permitted work.

 

Have you not heard anything yet about being migrated to ESA? (Employment and Support Allowance) All claimants on Incapacity are being moved to ESA and the target to finish these moves is 2013 before they introduce Universal Credit and PIPs, if you have already started a form of permitted work on Incapacity Benefit it will make it much more unlikely that you will put on ESA and will be told you do not meet the criteria and you should claim JSA instead. Most claimants are turned down for ESA at the first hurdle when they are applying only on mental health grounds, as you need to score more than 15 points and there are not enough in the mental health section to get you through.

 

It is well worth making an appointment to speak to a Benefits Specialist at your local CAB if you can in advance of them changing you to ESA so you know what to expect and don't shoot yourself in the foot by starting permitted work now.

 

I dont know where you get the idea from that Metal Health issues dont carry 15 points???? every Mental Health descriptor starts off at 15 points then 9 points, then 6 points depending on the severity of the illness. Always not able to engage with people familier or unfamilier is 15 points and entry to the Support Group, so cant really understand where your are receiving your information from. I know several people in Support Group first time round, some without even having to attend medicals.

[Nystagmite]

Most claimants are turned down for ESA at the first hurdle when they are applying only on mental health grounds, as you need to score more than 15 points and there are not enough in the mental health section to get you through.

 

But there is. Many people find that more than one activity applies to them too.

[Lilly_Monroe]

I had my medical last week for mental health issues.

I saw a GP who said he will recommend they leave me alone for now (up to the DWP now) I am sure I have read other people on here with mental health issues have passed.

 

To be honest it is this kind of posting that scared the hell out of me - people writing you will not be able to do this and that and you will fail.

 

Good Luck other poster hope all goes well for you.

 

Lilly

[poollie1]

I had my medical last week for mental health issues.

I saw a GP who said he will recommend they leave me alone for now (up to the DWP now) I am sure I have read other people on here with mental health issues have passed.

 

To be honest it is this kind of posting that scared the hell out of me - people writing you will not be able to do this and that and you will fail.

 

Good Luck other poster hope all goes well for you.

 

Lilly

 

Some people get their kicks out of scaremongering, my Son in Law just been placed in Support Group for Mental Health Issues......

Edited March 17, 2012 by poollie1

[feelingsad]

The maximu points on the mental health section is 150 actually so BethM is incorrect though I think what she might be thinking is because mental health may be subjective and difficult to communicate it might seem it is hard to be awarded the available points.

 

I was put in the support group straight away on mental health grounds.

[Lilly_Monroe]

The maximu points on the mental health section is 150 actually so BethM is incorrect though I think what she might be thinking is because mental health may be subjective and difficult to communicate it might seem it is hard to be awarded the available points.

 

I was put in the support group straight away on mental health grounds.

 

 

The problem is not all people who suffer mental health problems cannot communicate.

The symptoms are as ride ranging as any illness, that is why it is vital to have people doing the medicals who understand this illness.

Because you are clean, nicely spoken, not bouncing off the walls, or self harming does not mean you are not in pain and suffering.

 

It takes time is all we are told, help yourself, get out, mix, take the meds, all things we know we should do, and to an outsider probably easy peasy - but not to us.

 

Glad you got help and passed.

 

Lilly