Incapacity benefit advice needed please!

friendgeorge

Hi

I got dismissed from my job of 8 years last June due to compartment syndrome. In June of last year i applied for IB as i was unfit for work, i got this for around 3 weeks then it stopped saying i could work, and would have to go onto JSA, but i appealed, then in August nearly 4 months after it stopped and no money inbetween i won and got highter rate short term. Anyway got my arm operation in Feb 07 and after nearly 6 months myself my surgen and my specialist are chuffed to bits with the outcome, i am narly 100% better. I went to the job centre arond 4 weeks ago to ask about getting into work i was quite shocked as to the help avalible and was sent away chuffed to bits, within the past 2 weeks i have applied for 2 jobs, which i am awaiting a letter to see if i have been successfull for an interview, i had to ring the job centre pls number for info on the jobs and they took down a lot of info from me on the phone, but i did not think much of it,

....then this morning i got a letter saying i needed to complete a form about my disability and if i did not send it back asap my IB will stop..... what the hell is this all about...i was told that for up to 6 months even working i would still get some financial help, so why are they thretening me, i knew that if i rang up they would be on my back......

can anyone advise on what i should say/do i completed the form as honest as possible stating that on bad days i am still having sexterity problems which i am...... i will be going down to the job centre on monday can anyone advise, i am trying to get into work.....but i need help while i find employment, otherwise i may as well stay on IB, cos i am strugglying now on my IB and my hubbys low wage......

calleyw

On IB you can do what is called permitted work. You can work no more than 16 hours a week and earn up £86 a week. And keep all your benefit.

You can do this for a year.

There is also what is called supported permitted work this is via some such as a job broker e.g shaw trust same rules apply apart from this can carry on for a long as you want it to up and past the 52 weeks.


Hope that helps.

Also have checked to see if you can claim tax credits etc.


Yours


Calley

hissingsid

More information on permitted work.

http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/core.nsf/a/wr_ifwpwork