Dwa

rushnowt

Hi

My mum took ill about 2 years ago and since then as been unable to work, she's worked since leaving school prior to that and thought that she would be able to cope without working now, as shes in her late 50's, unfortunatley since her operation she's been getting more and more depressed and thinks its because her life as changed so much and she desperatly wants to get back to doing something.

She's in receipt of DLA - middle rate and Mobility - highest rate, she had to fight tooth and nail with the help of CAB to get this money and I'm worried that if she starts working again she will lose it all and not have enough to live on, I've heard that theres a disability working allowance and wondered if she would qualify for this and if anyone could give and info advice.

Many thanks x

BenefitMaster

Working does not affect DLA. DLA is awarded for the adaptions needed for Living with a disability.

Ted_Hutchinson

With DLA she would not be required to notify them that she has started work as actually working isn't a certifiable change of circumstance. However if the nature of the job was incompatible with the claims on the DLA form then they could look at the award again.
It is sometimes helpful if the disabled person has someone from the DWP on their side so to speak in these cases. So I would suggest she asks to speak to Disability Employment Adviser or someone from
Access to work who would be able to talk directly to the Decision Maker should there be an apparent problem. Which they, as they have seen the claimant and know what the problems are and what aids/adaptions/adjustments to working times etc or to the workplace are necessary to enable the person with this disability to return to work.

I'd also suggest she asks if there is a return to work project available to her. Welcome to Shaw Trust have several projects and there are probably others equally good who specialise in helping disabled people find suitable employment or talking them through the situation so they are fully aware of what is or isn't possible.

rushnowt

BenefitMaster wrote:

Working does not affect DLA. DLA is awarded for the adaptions needed for Living with a disability.

ahh right, thanks very much, I assumed there was a different benefit for if she was working or not.

Many thanks for your reply

Ted_Hutchinson

Forgot to say anything about disability working allowance this was ended a few years ago now and merged into an Element of Working Tax Credit. Details here
WTC2 Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit - A Guide
this would mean that should she qualify and work 16hrs a week she might be able to get some extra support if her job was low paid. The DEA I spoke of in my first reply will be able to work out how much she needs to earn to be "Better off" working but if as you say staying at home is getting her down then it may be better anyway irrespective of the financial aspects.

rushnowt

Thanks Ted,

I've printed these off and will pop over to see her tomorrow and go through it with her.

Hopefully we can sort something out between us, I can't see her being able to cope with long hours etc as she gets really tired and breathless, but if it's what she wants, I have to see it through with her. We'll take it step by step and see how things go

bottlered

Would she be open to suggestions such as charity work,or studying?
A part time OU course would let her feel mentally active,or a few hours in a charity shop would help her feel she was "doing something"

rushnowt

bottlered wrote:

Would she be open to suggestions such as charity work,or studying?
A part time OU course would let her feel mentally active,or a few hours in a charity shop would help her feel she was "doing something"

She did keep herself busy for a while learning to do water colour painting which she loved, but i think she got bored in the end, you can only paint so many sceneries, cottages and farm houses i guess lol. I've mentioned going on a computer course with her, because i'd like to learn more to, but she's not very techie minded and doesn't fancy that. She played bowls a couple of times a week but when the team started going down like flies she got a bit freaked out by it.

She has a caravan that she goes to now from thurs-sun to break the monotinity but think she needs something else, she's just eating through boredom and has put quite a bit of weight on too since she stopped smoking and I think it's all just getting to her a bit. I've mentioned during charity work to her a few times, I've done loads in the past and really enjoyed it, but i don't think its really for her, but i'll broach the subject again, see what she says