People who have Down’s syndrome who work and also receive some benefits need to keep the Department of Work and Pensions informed of any changes to their hours.
We asked Helen, our Benefits Adviser, to do a quick update on this important issue.
Depending on which benefit you claim, there are different rules.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Disability Living Allowance (DLA):
Not affected by earnings
Employment and Support Allowance:
You will need to have completed a PW1 form.
The PW1 form permits some forms of work. You can find the PW1 form for permitted work by clicking here.
These earnings must be below £167 (for those who are on the higher limit) per week (2023/24) and generally less than 16 hours per week. If you go over this, then you will be asked to repay the benefit money.
You can report a change of circumstances or contact ESA through your local Jobcentre Plus on 0800 169 0310.
Universal Credit:
You do not need a PW1 for this.
If you have limited capability for work or limited capability for work related activity (LCW or LCWRA) you will have a work allowance. This work allowance is an amount that you can earn before your UC is reduced via an earnings taper.
The earnings taper reduces your Universal Credit award by 55 pence for each £1 you earn. If you have a work allowance, this taper would only apply to money earned above this work allowance, so if you earned £2 over your work allowance, your Universal Credit award would be reduced by £1.10 (2 x 55p).
If you receive housing costs in your benefit, your work allowance is £379 and this means you can earn up to £379 in that payment period before your UC is affected by the taper.
For those with no housing cost, your work allowance is £631 and this means you can earn up to £631 per month before UC starts to be reduced by 55pence for every £1 earned over the work allowance.
UC has no earnings restrictions or hourly work restrictions. It can be accessed in ‘real time’ and therefore UC will be aware of earnings. You should however report any changes to working hours in your job journal.
For more information on benefits and earnings, please see our information leaflet about Benefits and Work.
You can also call our Helpline to talk to Helen directly. Ring 0333 1212300 or email helen.wild@downs-syndrome.org.uk.
Helen is available on Monday and Thursday from 10am-4pm and on Tuesday and Wednesday from 10am-12.30pm.