Illness Benefit and Back to Work enterprise Allowance

[marmite]

I am on illness benefit for a year and 8months following severe depresion after loosing my job.In the course of treatment and working with councellors they pointed out that it might be beneficial to get any kind of job- that it would work as rehibilitation.I was applying to any possible jobs, but the only one I was offered is catalogue distribution. And it is commission based so you have to become self employed. I believe income until you are established is second to none. Apparently the Exemption for rehibilitation work is gone- in which you could work and keep your benefit. New scheme Partial Capasity Benefit is in place.Was wondering for how long you can get payments under this scheme- is it untill your current Illness Benefit entitelment runs out(4months Left)? Rang to Employment Support Services to ask about BWEA- was told i would not qualify for scheme because you have to be on illness benefit for 3 years. I have asked them how can you be on Illness benefit for 3 years if its maximum 2 years. They said they just following guidlines not creating them.
Anyone could advise me on that?

 

[gipimann]

Partial Capacity Benefit can be paid until you exhaust your entitlement, which is 2 years/624 days.

People who were on Illness Benefit prior to the rule change (in January 2009, I think) were not subject to the 2 year limit and can continue to receive payment once they have a continued entitlement. This may be why the rule for Back to Work Enterprise Allowance has not been changed from 3 years.

 

[wbbs]

If the OP only has 4 months left of the 2 yr allowable term for illness benefit, does that mean that if they manage to transfer to the partial capacity benefit it will run out in 4 months time?

Are there any social welfare supports available to them then if they have registered as self employed to take the commission based job and are earning little or nothing from it?

I have a friend in a similar situation who cannot figure out what is the best way forward, looks like he will be left with nothing when the benefit runs out but was offered a commission only insurance job which may produce income or not.