I have an interview soon for a job at sainsburys, only 12 hours a week cus thats all i can manage atm but i'm really worried what happens now financially, i currently get DLA and incapacity, housing benefit and council tax benefit!!!! i'm worried to death what happens now, who do i need to speak to? its the typical benefit trap i guess. I'm not ready for full time work just yet, just part time. i'm really confused about money and worried, that's of course if i even get the job, i do want the job, want to get back into paid employment but if its gonna cripple me financially......
Well DLA is not income based, you can get that regarless of work.
As for the others, I *think* that you can still get incapacity if you're working unfder 16 hours a week (I'm on ESA though not IB so the rules may be different), housing benefit and counsil tas depend on income but from a 12 hour a week job I doubt that your incme will go above the threshold.
THe CAB (going in or calling citizen advice dirrect - 08448489600)may be able to tell you more, or you could call the benefits enquirey line - 0800882200. Job centre may be able to help too but not sure
You're on the same benefits as me and you're doing the same as me :)
What you need to do is go to/ring the Jobcentre and ask to make an appointment with the Disabilities Employment Officer. Tell her/him you'd like to start work under the Permitted Work Scheme. This means you can do 15 hours work per week and earn up to £93 per week and it will not affect your DLA or IB.
She will give you a (really easy) form to fill in, to send off to the place you send your sicknotes, if you still do, or ask for the address if you don't. Also you could ask about services she can put you in touch with which sensitively help people who have been unemployed for a long time, back to work. They can help you with skills such as interview skills, training, advice, support and CV-writing skills.
You will need to inform your local council/Housing Benefit provider to tell them of the change, as working even under the Permitted Work scheme can affect Housing Benefit, so you might just need to write ahead to see that it won't affect your HB too much.
Whilst DLA is not related to income you will need to let them know that you are employed as that is a change and they will probably send out a pack to reassess your situation.
I saw somebody about that ages ago, i forgot all about that! permitted work, i think i have a form in my box of letters somewhere. My DLA runs out january and so i have to re-apply anyway. I'd let them know anyway if i got the job. I hope i get the job, love to be off benefits and earning. Gotta take it slow though, hopefully this is the step i need! Got my interview 26th October, bit of a wait, i just wana get it done. Thanks everyone
