ESA & DLA and wanting to work as a musician

bigboybrother

Hello everyone,

I can't find anything anywhere on the web that gives me an answer to my problem.

OK, I claim ESA for both physical and mental conditions. I have just had a re-assessment without going for a medical and have been told that my Support Group status is continue.

I also have DLA high mobility & mid care for the same conditions and the difficulties and needs that I have.

Now I am bored with just sitting around doing nothing at home, been like this for the past 4 years.

Many years ago I used to be a semi pro musician, mainly working in cabaret clubs backing well known artistes. I have toured twice in Europe and back in the late 60's we had a No1 record.

I gave up music as it did not provide a steady reasonable income for my new family. Now it's just the two of us again, the old band minus one (who now lives in Eire after winning the Euro millions!!) wants to get back together on a semi permanent basis.

I am more than capable of playing again (thankfully I have a stool (throne) to sit on) as none of my problems or needs are related.

My wife is a little frightened that if I am seen back on stage (certainly in the local area) problems might arise with the DWP.

How do I convince the DWP, both for ESA & DLA that playing in a band on stage does not in any way affect why I am claiming ESA and DLA? I would sooner they give me a piece of paper to prove to anyone that asks that the DWP are allowing me to do this work.

Obviously money will be involved but we can lose that in buying new equipment etc.

Thomas_Hardy

Difficult to advise without knowing more about your conditions. You need to look at the reasons why you qualify for ESA and DLA, and ensure you are not contradicting them. For instance, if your mental health condition resulted in poor concentration, agoraphobia, a need to be watched over etc, this work would contradict your award.

You will need to register as self employed.

I would not suggest that you "lose" any money earned.

nannytone_2

you had a number 1 in the late 60's?

how old are you now?

bigboybrother

nannytone wrote: »

you had a number 1 in the late 60's?

how old are you now?

Hello, we did in 1968 just for 2 weeks. I'm 62 years young!

bigboybrother

Thomas_Hardy wrote: »

Difficult to advise without knowing more about your conditions. You need to look at the reasons why you qualify for ESA and DLA, and ensure you are not contradicting them. For instance, if your mental health condition resulted in poor concentration, agoraphobia, a need to be watched over etc, this work would contradict your award.

You will need to register as self employed.

I would not suggest that you "lose" any money earned.

Hello and thanks. That all makes complete sense. The mental condition has left me with no trust in people, only feeling comfortable and safe when with people I know well. The medication, sertraline, helps a lot and makes me feel detached from the world that I don't like. Music is a release to me, with it and being 'in it' it takes me to a different dimension. It's difficult to describe really but music just fills every part of me when I am playing.
The physical side just makes it extremely difficult to get about. What people take as ordinary such as walking, makes me feel that I am running a marathon.I am very lucky that because I have to sit down whilst playing, the only real effort needed comes from the shoulders down to the wrists and hands. Playing (every day at home) has helped keep my upper body completely fit and supple. It's from the lower spine downwards that I have problems. Obviously whilst sitting I am fully able to flex both legs from the knees downwards.

ooops sorry I missed your last bit. Of course we would have to register as self employed. When I said about losing the money, we don't really want to do it for that reason although money will still be needed. It's getting back on stage again after all these years that is drawing us together again.
I don't know if you are aware of the cost of equipment, but believe it it aint cheap! We have all kept our personal gear, but to go back and eventually have the gear that is expected of us, £10,000 would just be a starting figure. Until then it is beg, steal and borrow as well hire some stuff in for the medium term.
My own personal drum gear couldn't be bought today for less than £8,000 and it's old!

cbrown372

its been a while since we had the drum story Andy

bigboybrother

cbrown372 wrote: »

its been a while since we had the drum story Andy

Are you referring to me?

skintmacflint

cbrown372 wrote: »

its been a while since we had the drum story Andy

I see. Was wondering as most drummers use their legs quite a lot when playing. Friend used to get terrible leg cramps when playing gigs.

ComeTheRevolution

I was put in the Support Group despite telling ATOS and the DWP that I felt going back to work would be good for my health. They were looking at whether I should be expected to rather than how I felt and so despite slowly increasing my working hours, I was in the highest support group until I finally made the break. Feeling fit enough to do something need not be an automatic exclusion from benefit and the ATOS assessor was trying to persuade me to re-think my plans. (Awful medical history plus luck of the draw in my assessor, in case anyone is wondering how I got a decent break).

You could tell them that you're going to try gigging again for the reasons you gave. You'll have familiar people around you to support you so you're not having to be totally independent which may raise questions and your GP may agree that it would do you good and provide a letter to that effect.

In view of the high costs of the project, maybe you could play gratis? Or if it looks like it's taking off you could consider tax credits.

bigboybrother

skintmacflint wrote: »

I see. Was wondering as most drummers use their legs quite a lot when playing. Friend used to get terrible leg cramps when playing gigs.

Then with respect, he/she doesn't practice enough or has their throne set at the wrong height!

I practice daily and have done for years. I have a Yamaha electronic kit in the study linked into a 2x100w Carlsbro PA & 6 channel stereo mixer. With this I have the ability to keep the volume down or use headphones. I spend at least 1 hour and generally 2 hours everyday mixing my MP3 with the output from the drums.

If fully fit the worst that can happen is sweating but then it depends on what you are playing. I am mainly into Deep Purple & AC/DC.

bigboybrother

ComeTheRevolution wrote: »

I was put in the Support Group despite telling ATOS and the DWP that I felt going back to work would be good for my health. They were looking at whether I should be expected to rather than how I felt and so despite slowly increasing my working hours, I was in the highest support group until I finally made the break. Feeling fit enough to do something need not be an automatic exclusion from benefit and the ATOS assessor was trying to persuade me to re-think my plans. (Awful medical history plus luck of the draw in my assessor, in case anyone is wondering how I got a decent break).

You could tell them that you're going to try gigging again for the reasons you gave. You'll have familiar people around you to support you so you're not having to be totally independent which may raise questions and your GP may agree that it would do you good and provide a letter to that effect.

In view of the high costs of the project, maybe you could play gratis? Or if it looks like it's taking off you could consider tax credits.

Thanks, you are totally correct, especially about the support my co-musicians would provide. My GP is all for it, just as long as look after myself and will never move the equipment around.

You read my mind! We will only start earning when we get a residency or do one or two of the medium sized festivals but that is a long way off. None of us wants to tour nor do we want to travel the UK doing one nighters -we are all too old and too decrepid!!

The big pubs in the County will be the starting point for a year or so depending on health. All we would want is the cost of fuel for the minibus we use.