Care and support

Going to work or training

If you get a job or training place, your right to benefits will change. If you are getting a training allowance for example, you might still be entitled to an income support ‘top-up’ to that allowance. If you work less than 16 hours per week, you can still try to get income support or jobseekers allowance, but it is likely that the wages you get will put you over the limit to get those benefits. Any wages have to be declared, as you can only earn £5 per week before your JSA is reduced (this ‘disregard’ is £20 for people getting income because they are disabled, lone parents or carers). If you are ill or disabled and doing 'permitted work' your earnings may be treated differently - seek further advice.

Even if you lose your IS/JSA/ESA, you could still get some housing benefit if you are working, depending on what you earn and what your rent is. For more information, click on the link called in and out of work on the right hand side of the page.

If you (and your partner if you have one) are disabled or have children, then you will also be able to claim tax credits if you are working. The child tax credit should already be in payment to you if you are a parent, and it should be altered once you are working. You might also get working tax credit (WTC), depending on what you earn and the hours you work. WTC can include help with child care costs too if you are working and paying for certain types of child care.

For more information select the link entitled extra money for families on the right hand side of this page.