'Permitted Work' problem

the_tired_one · 23 May 2006 at 11:13PM

Hi

I'm on IB. Found out about Permitted Work scheme which meant I could work up to 26 weeks (no more than 15 hours/week and not earn more than £81/week).

So max I can earn in the 26 weeks is £2106.

I have a 10 week contract which will see me earn approx £90/week so thats £900 within that 26 week period.

Will I be penalised? If so, how? I entered into the contract before knowing the rate (I didnt think It would exceed £81!!!)

I havent recvd my PW forms yet - they need to be completed within 6 weeks of starting.

Broken_hearted · 24 May 2006 at 8:42AM

Tricky I would either ask if your contract can be altered or if speak to the benefits agency. My OH was advised that he could earn £65 per week for 52 weeks.

the_tired_one · 25 May 2006 at 9:49AM

I cant get it altered from £91. Thats the standard rate / week. At worst, I will have to pay tax on it? Or will it affect my IB?

Any assistance much appreciated

Jo_R_2 · 25 May 2006 at 1:38PM

That's an awkward one... The idea of permitted work is that you can 'try out' a job for a given period of time, either unsupported or supported, in order that you will hopefully stay in the job permanently, thus coming off benefits.

Obviously as you say, you are earning over the permitted amount per week so technically you are not doing 'permitted work' but you are employed in the eyes of the law so it will probably be the case that you will lose yr IB. What will happen after this I cannot say but if you have been 'employed' then you may go onto JSA rather than IB.

Have you actually started the job yet?

hjb123 · 25 May 2006 at 3:53PM

I would have said that they may stop your Incapacity Benefit if you are able to manage to do that work as they will think you are fit to work normally.

Are you perhaps well enough to come off IB and when you have finished this job that you are talking about then go onto jobseekers?

the_tired_one · 27 May 2006 at 2:03AM

Its only 6 hours a week - and thats the max I could do. Havent worked for 6 years (thats why I am on IB)

I will see if I can get paid less - but doubt it.

hjb123 · 27 May 2006 at 8:58AM

So you will be getting £15 per hour? I would love a job at that rate!

the_tired_one · 27 May 2006 at 11:22AM

hjb123 wrote:

So you will be getting £15 per hour? I would love a job at that rate!

Yes - but that includes 6-8 (sometimes more) hours preparartion time (unpaid), all in my own time at home.

So its like doing 12 hours.

Bottom line - will I have some case to argue that I am only doing 6 hours (max I can do) and its not like I am hitting the upper limit of 15 hours physically (which is the issue)

Fleago · 27 May 2006 at 9:10PM

Hi the_tired_one,

No I don't think you will have a case to argue that you are only working six hours, so should be allowed to go over the earnings allowance. The fact is that you are going to be earning more than you are allowed to under permitted work rules. I think your best bet would be to see if the employer would drop the earnings down to £81. Alternatively, contact the Disability Employment Adviser at your Job Centre Plus and run the situation by them and see what they say as they will be well versed on what you can or cannot do under PW rules.

However, and please don't take this the wrong way as I don't mean it to be getting at you at all, but I think that having to do so much unpaid preparation time at home seems unfair on you. You've said you can only physically work 6 hours a week, but then say that you're having to do unpaid preparation time of an equal amount of hours or more. Even though it is at home, it is still work, so in effect taking this job is going to have you working 12 or more hours a week. To my mind, this is what your contract should be for and no employer should be expecting people to be doing preparation at home, unpaid.

Fleago

the_tired_one · 27 May 2006 at 11:53PM

Ok - will contact Job Centre people and employers after the bank holiday.

Will see if they can knock it down to £81. I dont want to break any rules - but I have agreed a contract so cannot just drop out - will have to drive my wage down (how bizzare

)

beadysam · 28 May 2006 at 12:45AM

Talk to the disability employment person at the job center. They may be able to negotiate on your behalf. Also the may be able to clarify the exact rules and regs. I have been on permitted work and earned more than specified but because the work was very variable and intermittent in payment and hours this was considered acceptable. Hubby was on permitted work, but then began to earn too much. He had to stop IB and then could claim working tax credit - much better as we got free dental and prescriptions too! Strange eh? You are fit to work yet get free health care - or you are too ill to work and have to pay for prescriptions etc... go figure! Anyway, when he became unwell through too much work before he was ready, he immediately was allowed to go back on IB with no medical at the higher rate. He did have all the paperwork to do though and drs notes. Hope that is of some use? DWP are usually very helpful to those who try to help themselves and get off benefit. Ther are often funds available to facillitate this though they keep it a bit quiet,.....
SAM xx

'Permitted Work' problem

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