Musician and Benefit Recipient

Jowo_2

Oh, I read the post as if he were a carer to a disabled person and thought live music would be a lovely way to unwind after the stress and effort of caring for someone who is severely disabled and who needs extensive supervision.

The OP said "Disability Living Allowance @ the high rate as a carer"

A person can have extensive mobility problems and still be an expert musician...

Hithere

sh1305 wrote: »

Not being able to walk doesn't always make someone incapable of working.

Yes, most people are capable of working, sometimes employers just need to make reasonable adjustments.

The OP has proved they are capable of working as they are working as a musician, sometimes paid, sometimes unpaid but it's work.

I think to get high rate care you have to need a carer for at least 35 hours a week.

Hithere

Jowo wrote: »

Oh, I read the post as if he were a carer to a disabled person and thought live music would be a lovely way to unwind after the stress and effort of caring for someone who is severely disabled and who needs extensive supervision.


The OP said "Disability Living Allowance @ the high rate as a carer"

I might have misunderstood, do they get DLA mobility and DLA Care or do they get DLA mobility & then also get Carers allowance for looking after someone who gets DLA Care.

A person can have extensive mobility problems and still be an expert musician...

Yes they can 'work' as a musician

AnxiousMum

Cheap band - surprised at those rates they only do so few engagements - as chair of a school pta, I am often booking bands and can never seem to find one that is less than £300 for a night's work - with free drinks thrown in! If I were your friend, I'd certainly increase my rate for a night's work, it ups the image of his band as well, and might be able to even get off of some of the means tested benefits. Good on him for trying to keep his hand in and trying something to get a career going

KimYeovil

Surely it is straightforward. Have the Inland Revenue and DWP not already given the claimant the appropriate advice? Or are you suggesting he is not declaring his work to either party?

hyltonlad

i read this with intrest my kids played in a steel pan band 90% of the members had disabilities some totaly dependent on other for most of their needs but wow what sound they had they even played for the queen but i think a lot of them would have getting some sort of dla.
hyltonlad

Hithere

hyltonlad wrote: »

i read this with intrest my kids played in a steel pan band 90% of the members had disabilities some totaly dependent on other for most of their needs but wow what sound they had they even played for the queen but i think a lot of them would have getting some sort of dla.
hyltonlad

There is absolutely no problem with someone getting DLA and playing in a band.


No problem with someone getting DLA and working. (As long as DWP aware). I do and do not claim any other benefits .


However they should have a reason to not work and claim all those other means tested benefits (some benefits would still be available if they worked & had low earnings). If capable of work (any type of work, even as a musician) then would it not be more appropriate to sign on as capable of, available for & actively seeking that four letter word 'work'.

Ames

As long as the work he's doing in the band doesn't contradict what he said in the DLA forms then it's no problem, someone can work full time and claim it.

For the means tested benefits, it should be declared, but as it works out at less than £20 a week it shouldn't affect them.