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Frequently asked questions - work issues 
If there is a question that you have been puzzling over why not suggest a faq.
1. What is the access to work scheme?
4. What is supported permitted work?
If you want to work but have a disability that makes working a problem you may be able to get help from the Access to Work scheme. This provides practical advice to help you overcome these problems. It can also give you grants towards extra employment costs. For more information about the scheme see our Factsheet F27 - access to work.
The national minimum wage applies to nearly all workers and sets hourly rates below which pay must not be allowed to fall. The rates set are based on the recommendations of the independent Low Pay Commission. This hourly rate is increased each October.
To view the current minimum wage rates go to the Department For Business, Enterprise And Regulatory Reform website.
The Department For Business, Enterprise And Regulatory Reform has also produced guidance on the relationship between permitted work and the minimum wage. For more information about this and a link to the guidance see our factsheet F35 Work for people who are sick or disabled.
Permitted work is work that you are allowed to do if you are getting incapacity benefit, severe disablement allowance, national insurance credits or income support because of incapacity for work. For more information about this see our factsheet F35 Work for people who are sick or disabled.
The Department For Business, Enterprise And Regulatory Reform has produced guidance on the relationship between permitted work and the minimum wage. For more information about this and a link to the guidance see our factsheet F35 Work for people who are sick or disabled.
Supported permitted work is work done as part of the permitted work scheme where a person is supervised by someone who is employed by a public or local authority or voluntary organisation which provides or finds work for people with disabilities.
The main advantage of doing work that is classified as supported permitted work is that the work is not subject to a 52 week time limit, unlike other forms of permitted work.
For more information about this see our factsheet F35 Work for people who are sick or disabled.
Allowable expenses can include those expenses “wholly, exclusively and necessarily incurred in the performance of the duties of the employment” (for example equipment or special clothing). Travel between workplaces is an allowable expense but not travel between your home and work. The use of a phone may count as an expense but you would probably have to itemise those calls you made wholly, exclusively and necessarily incurred in the performance of the duties of the employment.
Yes. If you are an employed earner this is “remuneration or profit derived from employment".
There are different earnings rules if you are claiming income support as well as incapacity benefit. You will normally be allowed to keep £5 of your earnings if you are single or £10 if you have a partner. If you qualify for the disability premium, the carer premium or are a lone parent you will be allowed to keep £20 of your earnings.
The rest of your earnings will be deducted from your income support.
You can find out more about premiums in our Factsheet F45 - income support . For more information about permitted work see our factsheet F35 - Work for people who are sick or disabled.
