I finally found work! where do I stand on benefits?

EltonJohnFan

Good evening all,

After searching for what seems like forever? I've finally found a work placement! can't tell you how pleased I am at this good fortunae and I'm really desperate to get started now that I know I'm returning to work again, everything I wanted and more. I start next Tuesday. All of this has been made possible due to the help of some very helpfull people and in particular, a really wonderful lady from the Jobcentre who has been working with me as my Disability Employment Advisor and her help has proven invaluable to me over these past few months.

I had an interview this morning with the gentlemen who owns the business where I'll be having my work trial and he seemed to take an instant like to me. After our metting he remarked that I was a very presentable, very likeable and very highly qualified young man and that he hoped I'd be here for a long time to come. He said he was very surprised that nobody had "snapped me up" already and that if I prove to him I'm a good worker then he promises me that I'll be well looked after and that I'll be working with a good group of people, some of whom I was lucky enough to meet today.

I must say though, I was very, very nervous! it's been so long since I've been in a work situation, over ten months now actually and I guess I've just become somewhat "rusty" to the whole thing, hope they don't have a horrible impression of me though as I met the senior manager I'll be working with and he showed me my own little office and stated that I'll have all the support and help I need to fit in. The place is definitely disability frendly and I have to give them top marks for that. I know this sounds silly, but I'm really scared now! Tuesday is so soon and I'm frightened things will go wrong or I won't fit in somehow

Anyway, I'd just like to know where I stand on benefits and things as my DEA said after the meeting that when I sign on this coming Monday? I'll be given money to pay for my lunch and things for the next two weeks. I've also been working with both RNID and Remploy advisors in addition to my DEA, will this now be affected by my placement? I was told that I'm now officially on the "Work Choice" programme and that things will happen in "due course" but not to worry about them just yet.

Will I lose my Jobseekers Allowance/Disabliity Living Allowance and my Housing and Council Tax Benefit now that I have this placement? I'm really keen to do it because the gentleman stated that he can quite possibly see me getting a six month contract to begin with if I prove myself and my role is based around the administrative side of things which I love anyway. I'm the sort of person that needs to work and it really looks to me like I've found a golden opportunity and should really try and make the most of it. Why am I so nervous though!? who knows but thank you for your help

welshmoneylover

EltonJohnFan wrote: »

Good evening all,

After searching for what seems like forever? I've finally found a work placement! can't tell you how pleased I am at this good fortunae and I'm really desperate to get started now that I know I'm returning to work again, everything I wanted and more. I start next Tuesday. All of this has been made possible due to the help of some very helpfull people and in particular, a really wonderful lady from the Jobcentre who has been working with me as my Disability Employment Advisor and her help has proven invaluable to me over these past few months.

I had an interview this morning with the gentlemen who owns the business where I'll be having my work trial and he seemed to take an instant like to me. After our metting he remarked that I was a very presentable, very likeable and very highly qualified young man and that he hoped I'd be here for a long time to come. He said he was very surprised that nobody had "snapped me up" already and that if I prove to him I'm a good worker then he promises me that I'll be well looked after and that I'll be working with a good group of people, some of whom I was lucky enough to meet today.

I must say though, I was very, very nervous! it's been so long since I've been in a work situation, over ten months now actually and I guess I've just become somewhat "rusty" to the whole thing, hope they don't have a horrible impression of me though as I met the senior manager I'll be working with and he showed me my own little office and stated that I'll have all the support and help I need to fit in. The place is definitely disability frendly and I have to give them top marks for that. I know this sounds silly, but I'm really scared now! Tuesday is so soon and I'm frightened things will go wrong or I won't fit in somehow

Anyway, I'd just like to know where I stand on benefits and things as my DEA said after the meeting that when I sign on this coming Monday? I'll be given money to pay for my lunch and things for the next two weeks. I've also been working with both RNID and Remploy advisors in addition to my DEA, will this now be affected by my placement? I was told that I'm now officially on the "Work Choice" programme and that things will happen in "due course" but not to worry about them just yet.

Will I lose my Jobseekers Allowance/Disabliity Living Allowance and my Housing and Council Tax Benefit now that I have this placement? I'm really keen to do it because the gentleman stated that he can quite possibly see me getting a six month contract to begin with if I prove myself and my role is based around the administrative side of things which I love anyway. I'm the sort of person that needs to work and it really looks to me like I've found a golden opportunity and should really try and make the most of it. Why am I so nervous though!? who knows but thank you for your help

Good news and good luck

Being nervous is normal, enjoy your first day :T

RazWaz

You will never lose your DLA from moving in and out of work, it is not dependant on your income, only your need.

Is this a work trial placement where you work for 6 weeks or a full time job? Will you be getting a wage? If a wage you will no longer get JSA but otherwise you may still get it.

Housing benefit will continue if you still get JSA, if not and you get a wage, you may still get some or all of it depending on how much you are earning.

Again if it's a wage, since you get DLA you will be able to claim tax credits as long as you are working more than 16 hours a week.

Hope all this helps.

burtons

Ain't a work trial where a company will tell the jobcentre that they will take people on for so long and the company will pay half the persons jsa and the dole will pay the rest.

EltonJohnFan

RazWaz wrote: »

You will never lose your DLA from moving in and out of work, it is not dependant on your income, only your need.

Is this a work trial placement where you work for 6 weeks or a full time job? Will you be getting a wage? If a wage you will no longer get JSA but otherwise you may still get it.

Housing benefit will continue if you still get JSA, if not and you get a wage, you may still get some or all of it depending on how much you are earning.

Again if it's a wage, since you get DLA you will be able to claim tax credits as long as you are working more than 16 hours a week.

Hope all this helps.

Hi there! I just had to check back before bed, really hope someone can help me out here

It's so reassuring to know I can't lose my Disability Living Allowance because I really need this to lead a more normal life and though my new work-trial isn't all that far from my home? I'm definitely reliant on taxis to get me back an forth because I can't get there alone in my wheelchair, lots of roads to cross and the streets are very busy with other commuters in the mornings. This is actually a Work Trial placement where I'm working for 2 weeks as agreed with the owner of this business but I can't remember any money actually being discussed, does that mean I'm working for nothing? I don't mind, just getting out of the house and having something to keep me occupied after all these months of pulling my hair out (unlike in my avatar) has got to count for something!

Someone else has mentioned Tax Credits to me but I was told you have to be over 25 to get them if you don't have kids and well, I don't have kids and I'm not over 25 so maybe that option isn't there for me. I really don't know where I stand in regards to benefits and this trial and my worry is people think I'm greedy or a scrounger when I only want to keep myself right and not be "worse off" for trying to better myself and take advantage of all the help and support that's given to me as I do feel I need it. I'm so grateful to have this chance and I just want to have the reassurance that I won't have problems further down the line for taking it. The DEA didn't have a lot of time to explain what would happen next to me as after the meeting with the business owner she had to leave quite quickly and return to the Jobcentre to deal with other clients. I don't know much about this "Work Choice" programme she mentioned either, maybe someone could shed a little light on it? thanks again :T

Indie_Kid

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Jobseekers/programmesandservices/DG_173561 explains work trials.

You can also get working tax credits if you're over 16, work at least 16 hours per week and are disabled.

tcr_3

A work trial ? *headpalm*

But last week you were so unfit the doctor signed you off. You're now claiming ESA on your doctor's recommendation.

I do wish you'd make your mind up about your health & what you want out of life. You're going from one extreme to another without any intervening period whatever.

Oh good luck, btw.

EltonJohnFan

tcr wrote: »

A work trial ? *headpalm*

But last week you were so unfit the doctor signed you off. You're now claiming ESA on your doctor's recommendation.

I do wish you'd make your mind up about your health & what you want out of life. You're going from one extreme to another without any intervening period whatever.

Oh good luck, btw.

Thank you very much!

Yes, I'm really keen to work you see and don't want to be stuck on ESA when I can be out there contributing to society, enjoying what I do, putting my problems behind me and hopefully not being reminded of them either thank you very much. I know exactly what I want out of life, now, don't you worry about that I seem to get the feeling that you're somehow subtly painting me in a negative light but not to worry, I've came across people like that before and they'll never beat me down, don't like bullies either. I refuse to claim ESA when I can work and as my condition has stabilised I'm more than happy to take up the offer of a Work Trial, what's so bad about that!? You know, I'm really glad I was checking out the links that were very kindly provided here earlier as I was shocked to see this response.

hippygran

Congratulations EJF and the very best of luck.

Haven't a clue about you benefits (apart from knowing DLA is unaffected whether you work or not).

Just wanted to pass on my best wishes, and credit where credit is due, you are a trier, and don't give up.

XX

seven-day-weekend

Congratulations on your placement, just go in with a positive and polite attitude, do your best and be willing to learn, and you'll be fine. My son got a job this way four years ago.

You won't lose your DLA and as someone says, if you work over 16 hours, because you have a disability you may be eligible for tax credits too, also Council Tax Benefit and if you are renting, help towards your rent, depending upon your income.

Enjoy!

AnxiousMum

Congrats on your work placement - from what you say they seem like a nice company and I hope you settle in and enjoy it