Can they do this

elvis1

A friend of mine who has a heart problem and is having tests etc. They love singing, helps them deal with the heart problem. Agree to sing at a charity show but someone informed the benefit people about this and they said that if they went and done the charity show they would stop there benefit. They were unware they was actually doing anything wrong.

Can the benefits do this as I thought it would be classed a voluntary, no money was changing hands.

DX2

elvis1 wrote: »

A friend of mine who has a heart problem and is having tests etc. They love singing, helps them deal with the heart problem. Agree to sing at a charity show but someone informed the benefit people about this and they said that if they went and done the charity show they would stop there benefit. They were unware they was actually doing anything wrong.

Can the benefits do this as I thought it would be classed a voluntary, no money was changing hands.

So they are claiming to be "sick" yet not too "sick" to do a charity event.

elvis1

It is only singing some songs not running up and down, doing the Irish jig. Being 'sick' is not always a visual thing.

Jowo_2

Yes, but is he claiming sickness or disability benefits where he claims that he is breathless, suffers from anxiety attacks in crowds, or is agoraphobic!?

If their concerns don't relate to his income, could it be that he is in receipt of benefits where singing his tits off in public is against the type of claim he has submitted?

It seems daft that they wish to warn him off an unpaid gig ahead of even doing it...

DX2

elvis1 wrote: »

It is only singing some songs not running up and down, doing the Irish jig. Being 'sick' is not always a visual thing.

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

elvis1

I am not too sure which one they are claiming. Does seem daft they have said something before hand. The benefits system is confusing, think cause it was a one off and a charity gig nobody thought anything about it. Surpose we were wrong,

[Deleted User]

I`m not sure you were wrong,the dwp cant dictate how anyone lives their lives,it is perfectly possible to do allsorts od voluntary work whilst claiming benefits.

dmg24

woodbine wrote: »

I`m not sure you were wrong,the dwp cant dictate how anyone lives their lives,it is perfectly possible to do allsorts od voluntary work whilst claiming benefits.

That is true, but they can dictate who can receive benefits.

kizzy2010

can see this one from both sides. on the one hand, no your friend isnt doing any harm, its a bit of fun, keeps his spirits up and isnt earning any money.
on the other hand, he is doing something that if his heart problems were that bad, he wouldnt be able to do. my ex had heart disease, had an aeortic valve replacement at aged 21 (now 43), and is lucky if he can walk to the shops without being breathless somedays. he was told he couldnt work yet was denied dla, he was only receiving the higher rate of ib.
my personal opinion, is if he is well enough to sing in front of people, involving a lot of lung power, then there would be some form of work he could do.

berniesmaster

i have heart problems and claim dla.
i love rocking in the car to songs on the radio, but i absoultly couldent sing a whole verse with out loosing my breath, so no way would i be able to stand on stage and belt out a few songs concert style, (i wouldent put people through it anyhow!!) but thats just me. maybe your friends heart is in a better condition than mine.
but to be honest, because i know first hand how heart problems can effect people, and what dla is for, maybe dla are saying his heart condition may not qualify if he is able to do things like singing at a concert??
not really what you wanted to hear- but a good thing that his health maybe returning?