EBay and Incapacity Benefit

seven-day-weekend

This follows from information posted on another thread.

If someone is on Contributory IB, and not claiming any other benefits, would trading on EBay be permissible if it kept within the Permitted Work rules? Some people don't seem to think it would be, but I can't see how it would differ from any other Permitted Work. The rules as far as I can see don't say what sort of work the PD has to be.

Here are the rules for Permitted Work:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/FinancialSupport/DG_10020667

shameless-about-money

You are not allowed to run a business on Ebay as "permitted work"

You are, however, allowed to sell your own unwanted clothing and personal effects on Ebay.

Ask at the Job Centre you will soon find out!

seven-day-weekend

I wasn't really talking about running a 'business' in the accepted sense, just keeping within the £20 a week criteria.

Thanks for your reply....if that's the rules it's the rules!

shameless-about-money

Permitted work is allowed at £87 per week nett or the equivalent of 16 hours per week at minimum wage.

You might be better off in working part-time to get some extra money.

All of this has to be agreed with the Job Centre - and believe me, they don't make it easy!

Good luck!

seven-day-weekend

Thanks again....my husband is not in a position to do Permitted Work at the moment, he is not well enough, but we did think that when he is feeling better, (and if/when we return to the UK) he could sell some of his art and craft work on EBay - a few hours a week doing that he could cope with.

Anyway, as I say it's academic anyway at the moment.

seven-day-weekend

shameless-about-money wrote:

Permitted work is allowed at £87 per week nett or the equivalent of 16 hours per week at minimum wage.
You might be better off in working part-time to get some extra money.

All of this has to be agreed with the Job Centre - and believe me, they don't make it easy!

Good luck!

Only for 12 months, wheareas the £20 a week option can be continued indefinitely.


can work:

for earnings of up to and including £20.00 a week for an unlimited period, or
for less than 16 hours a week, on average, with earnings up to and including £86.00 a week for a 52 week period
for less than 16 hours a week, on average, and earn up to and including £86.00 a week for as long as your illness or disability is considered sufficiently severe that you are treated as meeting the threshold of incapacity without undergoing a medical assessment

pennyforthem

I think the fact that your only concern is making the maximum amout of money while being able to stay on full benefits without being questioned reveals your true motivations !

You would be well within your right to try to set up a ebay company, as with any form of self employment it is slow to start up and there is nothing to say you would be suited to this, so it would not be seen as set in stone even if you started making an income there would be many reasons to be able to pull out even if this is unrelated to your current condition eg you may have a physical injury that allows you to be physically capable of an ebay "job" but trying it out may prove to stressful for you.

I think to many people are hung up on keeping well within the rules so they dont get into any trouble, instead you never know if you give it a try it might actually be the start of a very good thing for you.

seven-day-weekend

pennyforthem wrote:

I think the fact that your only concern is making the maximum amout of money while being able to stay on full benefits without being questioned reveals your true motivations !
You would be well within your right to try to set up a ebay company, as with any form of self employment it is slow to start up and there is nothing to say you would be suited to this, so it would not be seen as set in stone even if you started making an income there would be many reasons to be able to pull out even if this is unrelated to your current condition eg you may have a physical injury that allows you to be physically capable of an ebay "job" but trying it out may prove to stressful for you.

I think to many people are hung up on keeping well within the rules so they dont get into any trouble, instead you never know if you give it a try it might actually be the start of a very good thing for you.

No, actually I said £20 a week (the maximum you can earn is £86)..

My husband has had mental health problems for over 17 years, but managed to work for most of this time and has only taken early retirement from teaching in 2004 (after 20 years). So he DOES know what it is like to do a job of work!

Also, by the time we return to the UK (if we do) he will be over 60. Selling his art and craft work in a small way on eBay seemed a therapeutic thing for him to do. We don't really want to start a full-blown business. We understand however that he still would have to declare any earnings to the tax man.

Thanks for your advice.

missile

Another option could be to sell via a local crafts shop?

Many are very keen to take in items to sell on your behalf. This may relieve you and hubby of the problems and stress from selling on eBay.

seven-day-weekend

Thanks Missile, that's a good idea!

seven-day-weekend

Just had a reply from a Welfare Rights Website that trading on eBay IS permissible whilst on IB providing it stays within the Permitted Work rules.