Can you work part time on DLA?

Hi I am on DLA high rate care and low mobility due to bipolar disorder.
I just wonder what would happen if I wanted to try part time work? Like 16hrs a week maybe?
I dont know how it would go but I think it may help me to get outside and into employment instead of being inside going crazy all the time.
Would the DLA stop? Not sure if I will even do this but would like to know if I'm allowed to try?
Thanks so much for your advice
xxxxx

I'm in the same position bipolar and would like to try out some work, that's if i could even get some. I did have a long career, although haven't worked for past 8 years,a couple of years ago i went on a recovery course and started to look for work and haven't got anywhere, my work has been in mental health, even so i find the label puts people off. i also feel i have regressed very much over the past few months with all this anxiety around benefits and have hardly been out the front door, with my mood very much up and down, i don't want to slip further also would just love to get of benefits if only for some peace of mind not because i am ready, the gains in confidence have been wiped out by anxiety.
Carole

DLA is non-means tested and you can work and claim without any loss to your DLA payments.

I suffer with the same condition. I am seldom able to cope with the day to day activities of life and have severe mood swings often very suicidal, but my partner says I may be able to get some part time work in his office, no other people there so I may be able to cope, ( I get panic attacks in human company as well)Would this affect my DLA if I did two 4 hour sessions - I would not recieve any payment as its my partners business, its just to help him out when he is away on business, answering the phone etc (and when his paid assistant is not there she works part-time). - I have an indefinite award of DLA (reviewed last year as a test case, I believe) I am not too optimistic I can do it as probably will feel too bad/ill most of the time as a result of trying but I feel I have to try to help my partner, as he is supportive of me.

It might also be important to consider how part-time work impacts on any other benefits you receive. For example, if you take a supported placement you can maybe earn up to £20 pw without it affecting your beneifts (here I'm thinking of IB).

I think there's also allowance for earning up to circa £90 (don't know exact figure) if you take work less than 16 hours per week. Personally I have never gone down this route because I think there's certain rules and stipulations that need to be satisfied. Problems may also arise if/when you try to get back onto benefit. (can anyone else point in the right direction re: more info on this option?)

Important also to note that 16 hours or more is generally considered full-time. DLA may not be affected initially, but there may be questions when it come up for renewal.

Hi All,

DLA isn't means-tested, so you can work and claim. However, any activities involved in your work can be taken into acount when deciding whether you still qualify. For example, if you were claiming higher rate mobility and started work that involved walking that might result in your award being looked at again.

Check the resources in the work section of the site, including the guide to permitted work if you're getting benefits other than DLA.

Good luck,

Steve