Even if you are in work, you may feel that you aren't able to work on a full-time basis, or you may be finding it difficult to obtain employment suited to your needs.
If any of these situations apply to you, then you should be entitled to access Social Security benefits. The most important thing to know is where to get independent advice and assistance with any aspect of Social Security benefits or correspondence.
Mind's Managing on benefits booklet offers practical advice for people experiencing mental distress or illness on how to access and maintain any welfare benefits they are entitled to.
The Directgov benefits and financial support website can help you work out what you are entitled to.
Free, confidential advice on most money issues is available from Citizens Advice and other advice services. You should contact an advice service if you wish to discuss your situation with someone. If you would prefer, you could ask a friend or family member, your carer, local Mind association, local advocacy service or other support service to help you contact someone for help. For details of your local Mind association see Mind in your area.
You cannot usually work while you are getting Incapacity Benefit because of illness or disability.
However, you may be able to do some types of work - within limits. This is called 'Permitted Work' and it allows you to test your own capacity for doing some work and perhaps gain new skills. You must check with your local Jobcentre or Jobcentre Plus office before you start.
Click here for more information on Permitted work from the Directgov website.
Pathways to Work is an innovative new approach to help people with health conditions and disabilities to consider their options for returning to work.
Anyone who is not in work because of an illness or disability can volunteer to participate for Pathways to Work.
Any new recipients of:
and those appealing against a decision which embodies a determination on incapacity for work will be required to participate in Pathways to Work in return for receiving these benefits.
If you make a fresh (or repeat) claim for an incapacity benefit (or Employment and Support Allowance from October 2008) you will automatically be referred to a Pathways Adviser in your local Jobs and Benefits office or JobCentre.
You will be allocated your own specially trained Pathways Personal Adviser who will arrange a series of meetings with you.
At these meetings your Pathways Personal Adviser will:
For further information please contact your local office and enquire about Pathways to Work.
Obtain more information about Pathways to Work from the Jobcentre Plus web site. Jobcentre Plus are delivering the Pathways to Work scheme in some areas. Private and voluntary organisations deliver the scheme in other areas.
If you are in receipt of certain benefits, you may also be entitled to other types of help including:
What you are entitled to will depend on the types of benefit you are receiving. If you think you may be entitled to other help you could get advice from a welfare rights adviser.