Permitted Work

Published in Bottomline, Spring 2006

For those in receipt of Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance, National Insurance Credits or Income Support because of illness or disability, it is possible to carry out permitted work whilst still receiving benefits or credits.  New rules are being introduced from 10th April 2006.

The new rules aim to simplify the current system in order to support people who want to return to work gradually and who may only be able to work part-time.

The rules will allow those on eligible benefits or credits to:

• Work for less than 16 hours a week, on average, and earn up to £81.00 each week for a fixed 52-week period.  This is the main change to the previous rules under which the period was 26 weeks which could be extended a further 26 weeks with approval.
• Work and earn up to £20.00 a week, at any time, for as long as they are on benefit, or
• Continue to do supported permitted work and earn up to £81.00 each week for as long as they are on benefit. Supported permitted work is done with the ongoing support or supervision from a professional caseworker.
• Those who are exempt from the Personal Capability Assessment (PCA Exempt), will be able to work for 16 hours a week, on average, and earn up to £81.00 each week for as long as their illness or disability is considered so severe as to meet the threshold of incapacity without the need for medical assessment.