Incapacity benefit and working?

Kathy220559

Hi Everyone

I need some advice again...sorry.

I applied for AQA on Thursday...did the test and received an email yesterday to say I had been offered a position...yeah, so pleased.

I also received a contract which says I will be self-employed and liable for tax, NI contributions etc.

The problem is I am on long-term sick and claiming Incapacity Benefit for clinical depression and chronic fatigue. This means that some days I am not too bad and love to spend time on my PC. Others I barely can manage to crawl out of bed. This is why AQA would be perfect for me.

BUT, I cannot afford to lose my benefit as to me this would just a be an enjoyable 'hobby' and the money would be hit and miss so to speak.

I know I need to call the benefits office on Monday and ask if it is possible to do this. The problem is I don't know what to say to them as I know I can do this, but that is not saying I can go out to work, which I know I am totally incapable of. In fact, going out at all for me is virtually impossible.

Anyone got any ideas if I can still do AQA...I really really want to and also what I should be saying to the Benefits people

Cheers
Kathy

Oldernotwiser

Emphasise that these are your first, tentative, steps back into the workplace. You're allowed to do some work on IB as it's considered to be therapeutic and they'll be pleased to see you making the effort.
Good luck!

Cute_'n'_Quirky

You are allowed to earn up to around £86 per week, without it affecting your benefit.

You really need to discuss this with someone at the Job Centre to make sure you will be allowed to do it.

AQA will contact the Inland Revenue re your employment and you will be given a P60 every year which gives you the total amounts paid to you and the amounts paid in tax on your behalf.

Give the Job Centre a ring or go and see them, just to be on the safe side.

Kathy220559

Thanks for your help.

I am going to phone on Monday, I'm just not sure what to say.

As I said, there is no way I could do a 'proper' job. My depression is due to the last job I had!! This would be ideal though, working from home, when I can and no pressure. I am just worried that they will think I am well enough to go to work.

Cute_'n'_Quirky

It comes under "permitted work".

You are allowed to do some permitted work - up to 16 hours and £86 per week. Not sure if the £86 has gone up recently but that is what it was in February this year.

You need to ask about permitted work and explain what you are wanting to do.

You have a Disability Officier at your Job Centre - it might be a good idea to go through them, perhaps?

seven-day-weekend

Please bear in mind that you can usually only earn £86 and work up to 16 hours for 52 weeks whilst on IB.

You can earn up to £20 per week indefinitely.

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

Cute_'n'_Quirky

That rather does depend on the person involved and the condition.

There are people whom are allowed to earn the £86 indefinitely - I know two - both had cranial aneurysms.

from your link -

"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"

Lakelady_2

DH has just been into the Job Centre to ask about earning small amounts and IB - they were very nice and no pressure.
Good luck it doesn`t hurt to ask.

seven-day-weekend

Cute_n_Quirky wrote: »

That rather does depend on the person involved and the condition.

There are people whom are allowed to earn the £86 indefinitely - I know two - both had cranial aneurysms.

from your link -

"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"

I did say 'usually' in my post. Most people do not fall into the above category.