Wanting to work part time & affect on benefits?!

ckebrown2212

I had to give up full time employment several years ago as my wife's health deteriorated to a stage where I was unable to care for her, the children and work.

Anyway I have an opportunity to work a few hours a week on a part time basis doing some local courier work, I can then work hours around how she is doing and child care.

My question really is one of "is it worth it?"

We currently receive DLA, Carers Allowance, Income Support, Child Benefit, Child Tax Credit & Housing Benefit (with C.Tax relief). On the carers allowance forms it states you can earn up to £100 per week (after deductions) before that becomes affected, however I'm struggling to find any useful advise as to what the actual affect would be.

I'm happy to pay our way but don't want to go through all this agro for nothing. Hope someone is able to shed a little light on this before I tackle the benefits advisor's tomorrow.

Thank you again!

ckebrown2212

rogerblack

My understanding is:
DLA, CA, CB, CTC are unaffected by you working and earning up to 100/week (after deductions of NI, tax).
IS is reduced pound-for-pound after a small allowance - 5 quid?
It won't affect HB, as your earnigns will not change much, due to IS dropping.

jfdi

DLA, Carers Allowance, Child Benefit and Child Tax Credit are not means-tested (at the earnings level you're talking), but Income Support, Housing Benefit and Council Tax are.

So if you earned under £100 your IS would stop & your HB & CTB might be affected (you'd need to tell your Council asap). The non means-tested benefits would remain.

ckebrown2212

Thank you for your advice. Shall gain clarity on the situation tomorrow and update.