Can you actually work upto 16 hours a week and claim

Apathy

Incapactiy or/and disability allowance without ANY deductions from his allowance. Apparantly, he will have to pay 30 quid tax credits, but gets to get the remaining amount he works for (16 hours pay minus £30). My friend says he's doing it, but is this even legal? If so the system is messed up.

Gazing_On_Sunsets

I think it depends also on how much you earn, too? The system may have changed, but some years ago I was very ill and had to give up work, and claimed incapacity. However I was desperate to get back to work so I went onto supply teaching, as they told me I could work up to 16 hours. I wanted to see IF I could work (The hospital had said no, but I felt I could try). So being able to work up to 16 hours a week is great for someone who is ill, or has conditions, or has a disability. Many conditions mean you get tired very easily, and can't work full time. I also found that working 1 or 2 days a week wiped me out completely, so I spent the rest of the week in bed. (therefore, having some benefits too can help - to pay for a cleaner, bus rides, etc etc.)

Unfortunately, the pay of one day's supply meant I had to come off benefits as it just topped the limit of what I could earn EVEN THOUGH the hourly limit was not reached. I am certainly not complaining, after all, I am very lucky indeed to be able to work in a job that pays well. It was just that the system isn't flexible enough to respond to the needs of someone with any condition that changes daily/weekly, who wants to work to their own capacity, and have the safety net of the state (and hell I've paid enough tax when I can work!!!) too. It meant that weekly I would be chopping and changing, sign on, sign off, and it was a pain.

Bit of a rant, didn't address your question directly - but you get what I mean...!

dmliverpool

The government is fixing the golden 16 hours by making people not eligible for benefits. It all depends on how much you earn.

Before in the Labour days you could work 16 hours and get HB and CT benefits. However this has changed. I haven't the details so maybe someone could enlighten us.

MrsManda

There's a difference between Incapacity benefit (now employment support allowance if you applied after Oct 2008) and Disability Living Allowance so the answer to your question depends in some respects to whether he's claiming IB/ESA or DLA.

IB/ESA is an out of work benefit which you claim if you are unable to work due to illness. You can do some work while on ESA but there are rules and you have to inform your JCP advisor.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Illorinjured/DG_171909

DLA can be claimed whether you're working or not providing you still meet the criteria of having care and/or mobility needs.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Disabledpeople/DG_10012424

Apathy

Well apparantly he's making sure he's working exactly the 16 hours a week threshold, Claiming Housing benefit (free rent), Incapacity AND Disability on top of the decreased gas/electric bills entitlement. He is suppose to be partially deaf in both of his ears but still....