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Disabled people
'Permitted Work' - working while claiming Incapacity Benefit
You cannot usually work while you are getting Incapacity Benefit because of illness or disability.
However, you may be able to do some types of work - within limits. This is called 'Permitted Work' and it allows you to test your own capacity for doing some work and perhaps gain new skills. You must check with your local Jobcentre or Jobcentre Plus office before you start.
Permitted Work
Permitted Work is a benefit arrangement - employers do not offer 'permitted work'. You do not need approval from your doctor or have to have a medical test just because you are doing permitted work. However, if a medical test is due as part of your ongoing benefits-related review, it will go ahead as planned.
You can work:
- for earnings of up to and including £20.00 a week for an unlimited period, or
- for less than 16 hours a week, on average, with earnings up to and including £88.50 a week for a 52 week period
- for less than 16 hours a week, on average, and earn up to and including £88.50 a week for as long as your illness or disability is considered sufficiently severe that you are treated as meeting the threshold of incapacity without undergoing a medical assessment
Supported Permitted Work
Supported Permitted Work is work that is supervised by someone who is employed by a public or local authority, or a voluntary organisation whose job it is to arrange work for disabled people.
It includes work done in the community or in a sheltered workshop. It also includes work under medical supervision as part of a hospital treatment programme.
You can work in Supported Permitted Work for earnings of up to and including £88.50 a week for an unlimited period.
Income Tax
If you start permitted work, you may be liable to pay tax on your extra income. You must notify HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) as soon as you start work.
Effect on other benefits
If you get Income Support, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit and you do Permitted Work, any earnings will be taken into account when assessing these benefits.
You can work and earn up to the Permitted Work limit of £88.50 or £20.00 - depending on the type of permitted work you do - and this will have no effect on you receiving Incapacity Benefit.
Find out more about Permitted Work
For more information contact a personal adviser or Disability Employment Adviser at your local Jobcentre or Jobcentre Plus office.
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