Coming off IB

sunshine1954

I am 57 and on IB and income support, i live alone and I am claiming housing benefit for my mortgage and claim for council tax I have been on these for about 8years due to an serious accident I cant walk very far and have breathing difficulties, My daughter recently started her own company and has offered me a position as receptionist doing about 30 hours a week more or less on minimum wage to start with, but I am really scared of giving up my benefits in case I can't manage, I have been told i can claim an over 50 allowance and WTC and also because of the IB an allowance to help you come off which lasts 12 months, I would love to be able to give up benefits as i have worked hard all my life till the accident and hate being dependant on the state, hopefully in time I would be able to work for her full time, does anyone know what help i would get.
thankyou in advance

tom9980

Given you have been off for 8 years what has changed so much to think you can go from 0 hours to 30 hours at the drop of a hat? its very easy to say but doing it is hard work!

Its a very good and generous offer from your daughter and its a good opportunity to get back to work in some form. Personally i would talk to your daughter about job sharing with someone in a similar position or who is a mum looking to get back into work again part time.

Look into http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Illorinjured/DG_10020667 by sharing the job you will ease yourself back into work more naturally and still give yourself some time to see if you are capable of doing the job.

sunshine1954

I have good days and bad days and as it would be for my daughter it would not be a problem if I could not go in due to feeling unwell, 30 hours is not fixed in stone, as there is another receptionist who works full time and whom I would assist, its really just her way (daughter) of helping me get out of the house, meeting people and feeling like I am doing something useful, if you have ever been out of work you will know its soul destroying sitting at home. I would help out for free but the benefits office would deem me fit for work I think, which is not the case in ordinary circumstances and I wouldnt want to do anything untoward, so wanted to know how i stand before doing anything and jeopordising my position.

Cpt.Scarlet

You could try doing Permitted Work first, this would easy you back into working without you having to give up your IB. The IB linking rules were cancelled in January, so once you cancel your claim there is no way back onto it, you'll have to make a new claim for ESA.