Reimbursement of eye test paid by employer - Income for UC purposes?

v1ckyt

Hi There, 

I am in the process of my earned income looked at by a decision maker, with a view to having SIPP pension contributions taken into account, has taken an age but getting there now!

In my November wages I received a £21.96 reimbursement from my employer towards the cost of an eye test, as i use screens all day in my job.

The decision maker has included this as income in her recalculation of that month.
I just wanted to check if this is correct, as I don't want to make a wally of myself asking her to remove that from the income calculation if it is in fact considered by UC as income 

Hoping someone here can tell me, 

thanks,

Vicky

HillStreetBlues

How unfairly it seems the reimbursement is considered earnings.

tacpot12

I'm not entirely sure, but I think the DWP Decision Maker is correct because this expense to the employer was not incurred wholly and necessarily in the course of their business. It was an expenses incurred by you. It was not something that they would have to have paid for in the normal course of their business.  

I've tried to understand the guidance set out in Chapter H3 of the Advice to Decision Makers, but can't understand how this benefit payment from your employer fits into the guidance. Hopefully, someone with more experience will be able to tell us which section of H3 applies to this reimbursement.   

Grumpy_chap

I think the expense was wholly and necessarily incurred by the Employer.
The law specifically requires the employer to provide eye tests:
https://www.hse.gov.uk/msd/dse/eye-tests.htm

The DM can include the extra income if they also include the expense to net it out to zero.

v1ckyt

Thanks. 

I think as it is such a small amount I will leave it and not question it. 
It has taken since June last year to get the MR actioned, so will quit while I am ahead!

Vicky