I wonder if anyone can clarify the new changes to permitted work introduced on the 10/04/06.According to the disability rights handbook,page 90,you no longer have to tell the dwp that you are working as a condition for doing permitted work.However the cpag handbook states that you still have to inform the dwp within 6 weeks of starting any work.

gerry

Check out "DMG Vol 3, 08/06 - IFW Changes to Welfare to Work Beneficiary and Exempt Work"

Although the requirement to give notice appears to have gone it is still a good idea to report any change of circumstances which may effect entitlement to benefit.

I wrote the DRH chapter and a colleague of mine wrote the CPAG chapter (see how incestuous the world of of welfare rights advice is!)

So I happen to know that the relevant statutory instrument (2006 No. 757, The Social Security (Incapacity for Work) Amendment Regulations 2006)was laid before parliament on 20th March -- too late for inclusion in the CPAG handbook which has a deadline of 1st March but early enough to necessitate frantic last minute amendments to DRH! CPAG currently reflects the old regulations.

I fully endorse Tim's advice, as DRH says: 'However, as you should notify the DP of any change ofcircumstances which could affect your benfits, it is best to et them know as soon as you start the work'.
This is especially important in the case of supported permitted work, where the DWP still has to decide whether or not the employment falls within the regulations.

Thanks for that guys and i would advise clients to inform dwp if starting supported permitted work which is liable to affect benefit.However what if your client started permitted work higher limit, and it had no affect to there benefit. It would then maybe be in there best intrests not to inform the dwp as they open themselves up to be fast tracked for a personal capability assessment.



gerry

just for completion the new regs and dwp guidance are available from the rightsnet news stories -

• Changes to permitted work from April 2006: New statutory instrument (20 March, 2006)
  
• Changes to permitted work from April 2006: New DWP guidance (06 April, 2006)