Work and benefits

Starting work may affect your right to benefits or the amount you get. The benefits system is very complex and this presents only a brief summary of how you may be affected if you choose to start work.

For more detailed information, see the section Benefits. If you are on benefits you should contact a benefits adviser such as the Citizens Advice  to calculate if you will be better or worse off.


Voluntary work - You are allowed to do voluntary work if you get Income Support, Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance or other incapacity-related benefit as long as you are not working for your:

  • parent (in-law or step-parent)
  • son or daughter (in-law or step)
  • partner of the above.

You must not be paid for your work but you can claim expenses such as travel. There is no limit on the number of hours you can volunteer.


Part-time and full-time work - Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance are payable whether or not you are working. However, starting a job may suggest that your care or mobility needs have changed and your benefit entitlement could be reconsidered.

  • There are permitted lower limits and higher limits while claiming Incapacity Benefit, Income Support, Housing Tax Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. For up to date details see the section on Benefits.
  • There is a maximum number of hours per week you can work, which should also be checked.
  • You must also tell the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) that you have started work within 6 weeks of doing so.

The sort of activities or tasks you are able to do, whether they are connected with the work or not, could be taken into account when deciding whether you pass the incapacity assessment. When you start work, the decision maker may, in some cases, decide to refer your case to a DWP doctor for an opinion and you may find yourself subject to another medical examination.


Other benefits to take into account - If you have decided to work you may be entitled to other benefits.

  • Firstly while you look for work you will be entitled to Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) or income-based JSA.
  • If you are working less than a certaion amount of hours a week you can still claim JSA.
  • You can earn a certain amount while you look for work (check Benefits for further details).
  • If you get income-based JSA you will automatically qualify for help with prescription charges.
  • If you have been on Income Support or JSA, you may be able to claim a one-off payment if you move from part-time to full-time work and come of these benefits.
  • You may also be able to claim Extended Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit payable for the first four weeks of work.
  • Finally, when you start work you may be able to claim Working Tax Credit if you are on a low enough income. It contains an extra element for if you are disabled. However it is important to note that if you qualify for Working Tax Credit and your income is increased you may no longer be eligible to claim for Income Support, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.
  • Access to work, Travel to Interview and Social Fund budgeting loans may help you fund expenses while you are looking for work.

There are additional benefits you may qualify for if you decide to go to work, for full details on the benefits above and others that you may claim please contact your nearest Citizens Advice Bureau .