help with coming off incapacity benefit

[zara2000]

I am new to this site hoping you can help -a bit of background info . I worked full time up to 6 years ago , when i became ill and started claiming incapacity benefit so been claiming incapacity for around 6 years now . I have a husband who works full time earning approx £22,000 . My illness is up & down but i really want to start up my own small business , the business is at just an idea stage as yet . I am really afraid to come off incapacity firstly theres the fear that i may not be as fit as i think im am to work and secondly what will i do for money til i get the business up & running . Iam really confused about job seekers allowence , i have been reading that theres two types , please correct me if am wrong but one of them looks like i wont beable to get because my husband works and earns to much and the other one i dont think i will get because i havent been earning for the last 6 years . If i came off incapacity benefit does that mean i wont get any benefit whatso ever ? Its all confusing i am afraid to ask at the job centre incase im going to be worse off , become ill again and be wishing id just stayed as i was .

[Richard]

Hi can't you set up your business without taking any money i.e. if you have to advertise just put out feelers to see what response you get and take it from there. I'm not too sure but can't you work for 16 hours a week while on benefit I'm all most sure you can, but the DWP will say “if you can work 16 hours a week why can't you work more”. Good luck.

here you go
'Permitted Work' - working while claiming Incapacity benefit

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTax...ed/DG_10020667

[susanl]

There will soon be no IB, its being replaced by ESA so the rules may be different??

[saintjanet]

As already stated, people are being transfered from ib to esa over the next 3 years. You may be aware of this.There are so many differences being implemented by the DWP, due to new government legislation, that i would strongly advise you to find out ALL the facts before you do anything.

I would suggest you speak to a welfare rights expert or the CAB.

[pam s]

Yes there are two types of JSA one is payable for 6 months[contribution based] immediately payable after coming out of work if you've paid enough contributions.the 2nd is income related and is payable depending on the income coming into where you live.[your household]

[zara2000]

Yes there are two types of JSA one is payable for 6 months[contribution based] immediately payable after coming out of work if you've paid enough contributions.the 2nd is income related and is payable depending on the income coming into where you live.[your household]

Still abit confused as to what i may be entitled to - The first JSA payable for 6 months im thinking if ive been on incapacity for 6 years i wont have paid enough contributions , i did work full time for 10 years pria to getting incapacity not sure if that counts ? The 2nd JSA income related my husband works full time brings home approx £22,000 per year so im thinking i wont beable to get that either so what happens in my case ? would i not be entitled to anything ?

[andypandy]

I may sound harsh here, but surely if you are thinking about starting to work then you are fit enough to work and yes you are right, wouldn't be entitled to anything. As IB/ESA is for people unfit for work

Sorry if it sounds harsh, but its the truth and you did ask the question.

[pam s]

Thanks Andypandy,yes you're right zara would not be entitled to JSA as she has not just come out of work and her husband is recieving an income over the threshold for means tested benefits.

[zara2000]

thanks for the replys so far and i dont mind if you are harsh . I am still ill and still entitled to incapacity but im sure like many people out there i want to work , my condition is up & down , im not sure without trying if i could manage a job but i wont know til i try . I am sure i have the same fears as anyone coming off sickness benefit im afraid of thinking im fit enough to work then 2 months down the line starting being ill again . There is no way i could work for an employer as my illness would not allow that unless the employer didnt mind me having lots of sick leave , wheres working for myself i could just work at my own pace .

[andypandy]

Hi Zara

If your condition is up\down then you would be mad to come off IB. I really feel for you actually and can see your dilemma. I wish I could give you an answer. Is it work ringing DWP do you think ?