Starting work

Dannyboy7

Hi, I have a friend who has a job opening in admin, and he said it would suit me if I was able to do it.

He said he would give me the support I need, I am just worried that if I accept it I might not be able to cope and have to go through the whole process of reclaiming.

Also as it is a sit down job would I still be able to keep my DLA as I will need the car to get to the workplace, also how would it affect the ESA part of my benefit, I'm in the support group.

I want to make a better life for myself if I can, I am just extremely worried I might not cope.

Any help would be much appreciated

Indie_Kid

You can claim DLA and work as long as why you claim DLA doesn't contradict your job.

pmlindyloo

Permitted work seems the ideal solution for you.

You can do this as long as you do not work over 16 hrs and earn less than £100ish per week (check the link)

https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/eligibility

Would your friend allow you to do this as a phased back to work to see how things go?

You need to speak to an advisor at the Job Centre and complete a form. to do Permitted work.

Doing permitted work will not affect your ESA and does not affect HB and CT reduction.

Your DLA will continue.

If this works out then you can increase your hours to what you can cope with.

If you work over 16 hrs or over the specified amount then you would have to end your ESA claim. You could then claim working tax credits if you meet the criteria and HB and CT reduction based on a low income.

If you find you cannot continue with the work over 16 hrs and you have ended your ESA claim you can make a rapid reclaim for ESA as long as it is no longer than 12 weeks since you ended the claim. You would go back to the same rates as you were on previously - support group.

Dannyboy7

Thanks guys

Starrystarrynight1

Can you friend arrange an appointment for you with the company's occupational health adviser? They can then look at how your disabilities affect you at work, and look at way to help negate some of them; maybe an ergonomic chair or some specialist software etc. You might also be able to request an assessment from the Access to Work scheme.

Good luck if you decide to give the job a go.