Permitted Work

Hi

Having just been placed in support group following a telephone assessment I have been curious about permitted work for a while.

Part of me wants to take some steps either to gain a skill or get an up to date reference but I can’t help thinking this whole permitted work business is a trap. It somehow is used to assess you earlier than normal or argue if you can do permitted work then surely you can do any work?

Is it a bit of a risk?

Would voluntary work be better as I’m not bothered about earning any money in fact would prefer not to as just adds to the stress in declaring it, etc...

If I did some kind of training would I have to tell them. What if it was correspondence course?

Thanks.

Mark

Thanks Gordon.

I never thought of it that way [You need to consider whether the work you would do, paid or voluntary contradicts the reasons that you have been placed in the SG]

Would the above apply to PIP as well?

I think I am in the SG under the risk clause(s) as when I first had medical I got the report but there was no mention of points. So I think any type of permitted work or voluntary work would need to be pretty much on my own rather than dealing with people or even fellow work mates. So I guess this pretty much rules out a lot of things.

It is income based ESA but I think a pt or ft course would contradict my reasons for getting ESA and PIP. To be honest I tried university back in the 90’s but although I managed to get through the Access course (year zero they called it) I just couldn’t go any further. I was sitting outside the auditorium on first day with people going in and I just got up and walked away. The only chance I had of getting a degree and I threw it away.

There does seem to be a contradiction with DWP. They say on PIP it is not a change of circumstances if you start, change or leave work. But it says in DM guides that if you are getting ESA and you notify them of permitted work or voluntary work they should enquire if claimant is getting PIP and if so notify them as it could be change of circumstances!

Maybe my best bet is to look at doing home study if I can find something that interests me and look at voluntary work further down the line. Also maybe wait until PIP is reassessed and see what happens with that.

Thanks again Gordon and best wishes.

Mark.

Hi Gary

I had considered it but it is not cheap (and that was 20 years ago). Also I just wouldn’t be able to tolerate going to some kind of summer camp. Not sure if that is still compulsory as I haven’t looked at website for 20 years.

I will have another look.

Thanks.

Mark