Incapacity & Permitted work

jojo1973

I've been on incapacity for 5 years, I worked for 15 years before this. I have a number of medical problems, my GP just said to stay on sick and last assessment with atos (2009) he signed me off for 3 years.

Im not actually sure im ready to cope with work its more suck it and see. I've organised a voluntary placement for 2 days a week to give me recent experience and a more recent reference if I do decide Im ready.

I've read about the permitted work rules, I won't be getting any pay, they are literally allowing to have work experience. They don't fall into the not for profit category but the job I will be doing doesn't exist as such so im not doing work that should be paid imho. I'll be spending time in different departments to gain experience and update my skills.

Im worried that if I tell job centre of my intention then after 2 days theyll stop paying benefit when I need to see over the space of a few weeks how im coping. If you're wondering i have fibromyalgia, adhd and Aspergers (all formally diagnosed)
I've taken a long time to get to this stage, reduce and stop meds and function effectively (meds make me extremely tired) & I don't want to be written off.

I havent started yet but im so worried. If they transfer you to a work group do you still get benefit paid at same level? I don't want the added stress of money worries, not that i don't have already but be in an even worse state