Does anyone know if 'voluntary payments from work colleagues' would be taken into account for entitlement to Incapacity Benefit?

Scenario is a 38 year old man has just been diagnosed with Lymphoma- and has been on SSP but will be shortly applying for Incapacity Benefit. His colleagues at work want to give him voluntary contributions as he is married with a young family- 'this is old school' .

Are any kind of 'gifts' allowed under the ICB rules. We don't yet know the severity of his lymphoma.

Would these be classed as an 'unemployability supplement ' of any kind.

I need clarification.

Thanks

As a national insurance benefit, other income is not counted when assessing entitlement to Incapacity Benefit (IB). The main qualification requirements are:

- he is assessed as incapable of work;
- he is within a period of incapacity for work;
- he is under pension age;
- he isn't entitled to SSP;
- he has paid sufficient NI contributions.

So they shouldn't affect his IB.

Btw, this would not be the case if he also claims income support (IS) on the basis of his incapacity (by which i mean his IB would remain unaffected by such payments but his IS might be).

Paul - thanks for your advice !

Cheers, Dorothy

IB may be reduced if the claimant is receiving payments from personal pension scheme, occupational scheme, public service pension or permanant health insurance policy arranged by an employer when employment ends. Don't IB is affected by any voluntary payments.

Well spotted. Forgot about those. Oops, I'll get my coat.

D.J Evans- Thanks for taking the time to respond-it's appreciated.

Cheers Dorothy.

You should also consider that the means tested benefits are effected if colleagues buy food . but should they pay the car tax, MOT , insurance etc benefit should not be effected . As IS doesn't cover such expenses , but it does cover food, clothing and utility bills etc
Also do the kids need sports fees or euipment paid for and so on
his colleagues could cover this.

Thanks N.wiltshire CAB... that's useful to know !

Cheers Dorothy

I was in a rush last week check out Income Support (General Regs)Schedule 9 (pg.621)Bonner & Mesher Volume 2 2004 it has all the disregards and excellent commentary.