Claiming and DLA and seeking employment. Help!?

tracypickle

Hi, Im looking for some friendly advice if possible! My dad is 54, he had a heart attack 6 years ago and takes medication daily for this. He has mobility issues and receives DLA for higher rate mobility and lower rate care. He doesn't receive ESA since they found him fit for work. He hasn't worked in over 10 years but in the last month he has started doing one day a week voluntary work to help build his confidence in the hope of finding some sort of work. This is where you come in... we are totally at a loss at what he would be "allowed" to do workwise. He has been speaking to the disability advisor at the jobcentre who is lovely but is pushing all types of work at him. He cannot afford to loose his DLA as he wouldn't be able to work full time due to his health. Can anyone shine any light on what would be ok for him to do or has anyone been in this situation?

Thanks for reading!

Takeaway_Addict

You would be better posting on the benefits board which is one board below this one I believe

tracypickle

thanks I will do this

dandelionclock30

Can he not appeal the ESA decision? Im not being rude but he will struggle to get paid work if he has all these health issues and a big employment gap.
You can still work and get DLA, I know loads of people who have done so.

tracypickle

He did appeal it, then we took it higher as there was an error in law. But still he never got awarded enough points. He accepts that to survive he HAS to find work and he is aware he can work and collect DLA but we don't know what he would be able to do work wise in relation to his DLA. If they feel he is doing something that contradicts his reason for receiving DLA they can take it off him. He is in a crappy situation but is genuinely trying to get out of it.

jacques_chirac

He can do any work that does not contradict his care and mobility needs. Have these needs changed since his DLA was awarded?

Struggling to find work is not a reason to appeal an ESA decision. If he feels he meets the descriptors he may appeal within a month of the decision being notified.

tracypickle

Since he started claiming DLA his health (mobility issues etc) has got worse but he wouldn't be able to claim any more than he does. He wants to find work... he doesn't want to put in new claims etc. Since he started volunteering he has really came back out of his shell and its done him the world of good

jacques_chirac

tracypickle wrote: »

Since he started claiming DLA his health (mobility issues etc) has got worse but he wouldn't be able to claim any more than he does. He wants to find work... he doesn't want to put in new claims etc. Since he started volunteering he has really came back out of his shell and its done him the world of good

In that case he will not be doing anything that contradicts his declared needs. There is nothing to worry about unless he is doing something he says he cannot.

tracypickle

Thanks - we have had so much worry about his money etc he doesn't want to do anything that may jeopardise his DLA and he is scared that if he was to do a job in which he can do they would say he doesn't qualify for it. Bless.. I would hate to be in his situation. Why can thing be easier! lol