Permitted Work

You can do permitted paid work if you are getting Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance, National Insurance Credits or Income Support because of incapacity for work.
 

  • Permitted Work Lower Limit - earn up to £20 a week for an unlimited period

 

  • People who are exempt from the Personal Capabilities Assessment work for an unlimited period, providing it is for less than 16 hours a week and your earnings do not exceed £92 a week [Oct 2008]

 

  • Permitted Work Higher Limit - work for less than 16 hours a week with earnings up to £92 per week after deductions, for a 52 week period. After 52 weeks work there must be a gap of at least 52 weeks before another 52 weeks work is permitted

 

  • Supported permitted work of no more than £92 a week where a person is supervised by someone who is employed by a public or local authority or voluntary organisation which provides or finds work for people with disabilities

 

  • Work done as part of a treatment programme done under medical supervision whilst someone is an in-patient or regularly attending as an out-patient of a hospital or similar institution. Again the limit is £92 per week
     

Permitted work does not need the permission of a doctor but you must tell the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) if you are working.

Means Tested Benefits;
If you are getting a disability premium with your income support, the first £20 per week you earn will be ignored, everything above this will be taken off pound for pound. If you don't get the disability premium the first £5 a week is ignored for single people and the first £10 if you are a member of a couple. If you don't receive income support your earnings will also be taken into account for housing benefit and council tax benefit.

What should I do before  starting permitted work?
Get a better-off calculation done at your local advice agency before starting.
Also ask about how permitted work may affect your personal capability assessment and your disability living allowance.