Afternoon all,

Sorry but this is not my area so thought better to ask you all.
If board members who are in receipt of ICB or IS receive sporadic payments or even regular payments, (will/should?) there entitlement to ICB and IS be affected and how?

I do know a little bit about Permitted work but this one has thrown me.

Unfortunately the amount of the payments will not be known, and it is believed the payments would be irregular but answers to both work be most helpful.

What would the board members have to do next?

What will the payments be for? Remuneration? Out of pocket expenses? etc...? Does your organisation's constitution state what payments may be made to board members?

My initial reaction was to advise each of the affected board members to get independent advice as the rules may be different depending on the reasons for the payment and the particular benefits they receive.

just to clarify......

You say that get IS/IB, but there may be partners getting tax credits.

I know but due to confidentiality as they are board members i have been asked the bare minimum. i.e. does it affect there benefit.

Ohhhh managers, they don't know the complications of benefits. I will just advise them to seek individual advice with DSS office.

I would suggest they get independent advice - i.e. not from the DWP (formerly DSS). The 000's of staff employed by WR organisations, CABx and other advice agencies are kept very busy for a reason...

And not only that, but experience shows that an enquiry to DWP about a matter such as this also runs the risk of all sorts of problems being caused for the board members by DWP staff not understanding the issue, including raising doubts about their incapacity for work, making referrals for a medical examination, noises about possible overpayments or even fraud. Independent advice in such cases is not just preferable, but essential.