PIP and working

Amiga1

Hi,
I am trying to help my friend who suffered a stroke 4.5 years ago. We are both confused by the PIP rules about work. Is she allowed to work? If so is there any limit on what she can earn? Will it affect her PIP if she does? 
Thanks in advance.

chiarieds

Hi @Amiga1 - & welcome to the community. Thank you for joining & trying to help your friend. PIP is based upon activities/descriptors concerned with activities of daily living &/mobility.

It is not means tested, so any earnings would not be taken into consideration. There are no 'rules' about work. However, depending on what sort of work your friend does, sometimes that can appear contradictory to the activities that may have been said to be difficult.

I don't know what stage your friend is at, whether considering to claim PIP, or perhaps they may have already done so. It would be useful if you would say in order to get the best advice from some of our members.

For now I'd suggest you show your friend the following list of activities/descriptors that are looked at with PIP. Please see: https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/asset-library/Scores-for-PIP-Descriptors-2020.pdf   & read right through to the notes at the end. Hope this may help.

Amiga1

Thank you for your prompt reply. 

Liz has been claiming PIP for several years. She’s looking to make simple suncatcher crystals that she could sell at a local craft fair once a month. This is more a confidence builder than profit making. 

chiarieds

You're very welcome @Amiga1 - any profit she makes doesn't matter one bit, tho I'm sure it would be most welcome! It's great she's doing this, & all credit to her.....I hope it goes well.

It might happen that when she next has a PIP review, questions may be asked if she does any work, so just to be aware of this, but people do work & claim PIP.

poppy123456

HI and welcome,

Although it doesn't affect the PIP it may affect any other benefits she maybe claiming.

Amiga1

@chiarieds Headway helps her with her PIP assessments etc but I know this was troubling her. I’ve linked her to this thread so hopefully she’ll take some reassurance from it. 

Thanks again. 

Amiga1

poppy123456 said:

HI and welcome,

Although it doesn't affect the PIP it may affect any other benefits she maybe claiming.

Thank you @[email protected]
We’re taking it one step at a time so hopefully she won’t fall fowl of the rules. 

poppy123456

What other benefits does she claim?

woodbine

It might help us to give better advice if we knew all the benefits your friend is getting as some might be affected by working although as mentioned it won't affect PIP.

Amiga1

I’ll need to check, I’m more confused about what she gets than she is! I’ll speak to her tomorrow. 

roberttaylor570

@Amiga1 Welcome to the community.  I received DLA when I was working and now I am not working I have transferred to PIP.

The only problem I can think of is if your friend has been assed for a Work Capability Assessment meaning they have limited capacity to do any work.  By what you say it is more a hobby and does not require much actual work to produce or grow, the crystals.  If they get Uniersal Credit any earnings could affect that.

I think from what I have read all is fine and good luck with the project.

mikehughescq

It is almost advisable to get advice from an advice service before starting work if you’re in receipt of any benefits. 

You do not have to declare starting work for PIP but if the work you do involves specific activities for which you currently score points - reading, budgeting, communicating and social engagement being the most obvious ones - then doubt could be cast on those points. Equally, making sun catcher crystals could suggest a level of dexterity which might put points for preparing food or bathing at issue.