TW and Benefits (1 of 2)

Therapeutic Work (TW) is a ‘term of art’ [together with the Therapeutic Earnings Limits (TEL)] that specifies the conditions which a person on Incapacity Benefit (IB, previously Invalidity Benefit - i.e. long term sickness/ disabling condition) can continue to claim benefit while undertaking paid work. A similar rule applies to Severe Disablement Allowance (SDA).

“You may be able to carry on getting your Incapacity Benefit if you do some work which your doctor has advised will be beneficial and would help your recovery... It is important that you consult your doctor and ask your social security office before (our emphasis) you start work.” (Benefits Agency pamphlet.)

There is a maximum number of hours that can be worked in any week - less than 16 hours. When therapeutic earnings are calculated, income tax and national insurance and half of any pension paid can be deducted. This weekly limit can be averaged - earnings per week cannot. However, the 16 hour limit on therapeutic work that the doctor has advised as beneficial and helpful to recovery does not apply when the work is specifically part of a medically supervised treatment programme. This is either as an in-patient or a regular out-patient of a hospital or similar institution, or is done in a sheltered workshop for people with disabilities. The most well known examples of sheltered workshops in the UK are the Remploy factories.

The TEL is currently - since April 12 1999 - £58 per week. The previous year’s figure was £48. The annual uprating jumped in 1999 as a result of the introduction of the National Minimum Wage on April 1 1999 for workers - i.e. £3.60 per hour for adults over 22 years old. For those between 18 and 21 the National Minimum Wage is Ł3 per hour.

The TEL was increased to £58.50 per week in April 2000. The limit of earnings from councillor’s allowance was also increased (from £49.50 in 1999) to £58.50 in April 2000. The national minimum wage is to be increased by 10p for the adult rate from October 2000, rather than six months later in April as many had predicted.The secretary of state for trade and industry, Stephen Byers, stated that: “the reason why we believe that up-rating annually is wrong is that this is not a benefit, it is a pay increase which will take place when the economic conditions allow.”
(The youth rate will increase by 20p to £3.20 in June 2000.)

However, therapeutic work is widely understood to mean more generally work that is or might be beneficial to the user/survivor/patient. This subject is explored only briefly here to provide a sensible location (a “problematic”) for the ‘ problem’ of Therapeutic Work - as it might apply to user/survivor/patient, carer, employer and health profesional, such as GP, psychiatrist, clinical psychologist, occupational therapist et al.

Therapeutic work can become “unhealthy” - i.e. have the opposite effect of what is intended. This may be a particular difficulty for those suffering from mental health problems , such as certain depressive disorders, relating to stress/distress at work.

Benefits & Claims continued...


		Benefits & Claims Therapeutic Work (TW) is a ‘term of art’ [together with the Therapeutic Earnings Limits (TEL)] that specifies the conditions which a person on Incapacity Benefit (IB, previously Invalidity Benefit - i.e. long term sickness/ disabling condition) can continue to claim benefit while undertaking paid work. A similar rule applies to Severe Disablement Allowance (SDA). “You may be able to carry on getting your Incapacity Benefit if you do some work which your doctor has advised will be beneficial and would help your recovery... It is important that you consult your doctor and ask your social security office before (our emphasis) you start work.” (Benefits Agency pamphlet.) There is a maximum number of hours that can be worked in any week - less than 16 hours. When therapeutic earnings are calculated, income tax and national insurance and half of any pension paid can be deducted. This weekly limit can be averaged - earnings per week cannot. However, the 16 hour limit on therapeutic work that the doctor has advised as beneficial and helpful to recovery does not apply when the work is specifically part of a medically supervised treatment programme. This is either as an in-patient or a regular out-patient of a hospital or similar institution, or is done in a sheltered workshop for people with disabilities. The most well known examples of sheltered workshops in the UK are the Remploy factories. The TEL is currently - since April 12 1999 - £58 per week. The previous year’s figure was £48. The annual uprating jumped in 1999 as a result of the introduction of the National Minimum Wage on April 1 1999 for workers - i.e. £3.60 per hour for adults over 22 years old. For those between 18 and 21 the National Minimum Wage is Ł3 per hour. The TEL was increased to £58.50 per week in April 2000. The limit of earnings from councillor’s allowance was also increased (from £49.50 in 1999) to £58.50 in April 2000. The national minimum wage is to be increased by 10p for the adult rate from October 2000, rather than six months later in April as many had predicted.The secretary of state for trade and industry, Stephen Byers, stated that: “the reason why we believe that up-rating annually is wrong is that this is not a benefit, it is a pay increase which will take place when the economic conditions allow.” (The youth rate will increase by 20p to £3.20 in June 2000.) However, therapeutic work is widely understood to mean more generally work that is or might be beneficial to the user/survivor/patient. This subject is explored only briefly here to provide a sensible location (a “problematic”) for the ‘ problem’ of Therapeutic Work - as it might apply to user/survivor/patient, carer, employer and health profesional, such as GP, psychiatrist, clinical psychologist, occupational therapist et al. Therapeutic work can become “unhealthy” - i.e. have the opposite effect of what is intended. This may be a particular difficulty for those suffering from mental health problems , such as certain depressive disorders, relating to stress/distress at work. Benefits & Claims continued...


13th March 2003