Is there anyone else who gets the lower rate care component of DLA and is working.

[avimay]

I have been in receipt of DLA for about the last 3 years I have ME/Fibromyalgia/Back Problems/Multi Allergies/Arthritis/Splenectomised/Thyroid problems. I get the lower rate DLA and do not claim any other benefits because of my husband's work and pay. I am seriously thinking to try a temporary position in the NHS in admin but really do not feel I should lose my DLA but unsure ? any comments welcome, thank you.

[jillylin]

Hi,

I do and I still had while I was working as it is not means tested.

Hugs

Jillyxx

[avimay in reply to jillylin]

Thank you for your reply.

[TheAuthor]

Hi avimay

I sincerely hope that you are feeling as well as you can be today? My wife has Primary Progressive MS, and she works for a local college as an apprenticeships claims administrator. She receives high rate mobility and low rate personal care. She has worked there for about 15 years or just over. She first got her DLA about one year ago. So they were already aware that she was working in this way.

As a matter of interest, she never underwent any medical examinations or assessments, they simply took everything from her medical notes, consultant and MS nurse specialist.

I sincerely hope that this helps you in some way. I would also like to wish you luck if you decide to go for your new job.

Ken x

[avimay in reply to TheAuthor]

Thank you your answer has been really helpful. I have not worked for 4 years now and for the past 20 years only on a part time basis because of health problems. I am really worried how I will cope and I have not exactly explained my health problems to new employer but feel I have to try and push myself more and see how it goes. Thank you again.

[Spirit in reply to TheAuthor]

Hi Ken

Your answer was very helpful for me too as I'm just considering putting in a first claim for care.

Thank you

Spirit x x x

[TheAuthor in reply to Spirit]

Hi Spirit

I sincerely hope that you are feeling as well as you possibly can be today? I am so delighted that it has been able to help you also. So many people do not appear to know that DLA (PIP as it is now called) is a benefit for your disability and is not means tested or withdrawn if you go to work etc.

I genuinely wish you the best of luck with your claim

Ken x

[mimiwen]

Good luck, avimay! I really admire you for trying. and I do hope you get on well.

Mim x

[solowheelie]

i worked for 15years on lower rate of care and higher rate mobility - neither of which are means tested because they are aimed at our needs

[avimay]

Thank you everyone for your comments. x

[jackie4ball]

Both of my sons work full time even with there health problems and both receive highest mobility and lower care they have both just had their assessments as well and will still get these benefits DLA, PIP etc are not means tested. I would love to go to work but at the moment i have just had surgery on my hand for osteoarthritis and have the same in hips and knees my problem is that i don't sleep until its morning i cant sit for long stand for long and basically feel pretty useless. i used to be a nurse which was alway my dream.

I have been advised that i could work as long as its for under £100 a week even with my benefits but my arguments if i could work then thats what i would be doing and i worry that they would say if you can work now you can go to work full time. i really don't know how that part works.

Jackie

[avimay]

Hi Jackie

I suppose personal circumstances are different for everyone. I am not in receipt of any benefits because my husband worked. I am in receipt of lower rate DLA for health only. I started work in February 2014 for 20 hours a week but only lasted three weeks due to my illnesses. It has taken me all this time to try again as my husband is not working now and we only have a small private pension (as he is 60) so my situation now is that I will work 20 hours for my sons business (at home) and I will be claiming working tax credit for disability element. You have to come under certain criteria .

If you can prove that you can only work limited hours because of the problems you have, then it seems you would (as you mentioned) be able to work and earn up to £100 and if this is 16 hours or more you may be able to qualify for WTC too. I typed in a search for "Working Tax Credit for disabled" and filled in their questionnaire to see if I qualified for help. Hope this is of some help but of course it does depend on each individual. Wish you luck. Take care, and thank you for your post.

avimay