Hi,
My GP has finally decided I may be able to return to work, after much persuasion, after a recent clear scan result, though he has advised me to avoid stress!.
Opinion seems divided as to whether I have to inform DLA of my return to work, or not. I was granted DLA in sept 06 under special rules using DS1500, and get high rate care and mob, as I have secondary cancer with liver and bones involved. I will be trying a rehab program at work initially, hopefully working very limited hours, and my plan was to see how this goes before telling DLA, as I am afraid I wont be able to manage, and stay in work for the long term.
I know I have to tell Incapacity Benefit, but can return to this same rate of benefit if I find I cant work, under the linking rules.
Has anyone any experience in this area, or any advice to offer?
Thankx Debbiexx
Hi Debbie
Because you have secondaries you are intitled to DLA, you are able to work and claim this.
Ask at job centre also as they now have a £40 credit a week for 1 year if you have been on incapacity benefit and are going back to work.
Good news!
As your scan was clear does that mean it is no longer in your liver and bones?
Luv Mel x
Hi debbie,
From all that I have read up about DLA I do not think you have to inform them of your return to work. DLA is not dependent on income, whether you work or not. Your circumstances have not changed - you have secondary breast cancer claimed under DS1500 and it sure ain’t going to go away!
dawnhc
Hi Debbie – don’t know anything about means-tested benefits, but I worked continuously in my office-based job from my mets (bone & liver) dx in 2003 to the end of my contract last year, and received DLA under DS1500 for the whole time (and continue to do so). As Dawn says, DLA is not means-tested, but is related to your care needs and mobility problems, which for me have not changed since my mets dx. I expect that the same is true for you, so you should be able to keep your DLA benefits when you return to work.
If you’re worried about benefits and/or financial issues, you might want to speak to your Mac nurse, or you could go to your local Citizens’ Advice Bureau to get free, confidential information & advice.
Best of luck in your return to work.
Marilyn x
Hiya
Thanks for your comments - Yes Mel Im pleased to report that my liver is currently clear, and whilst it is still in my bones, they have not deteriorated since sept 06 when i was diagnosed -fingers crossed it stays that way!
I did work in welfare rights, and this is why opinion is divided -2 staff say you need to advise , and three others say you dont -so im really confused -having this bloody disease makes life so complicated!
Can I ask -those who worked and got DLA -did you inform them when you went back to work??
Thanx Debbie xx
Hi
If you are getting DLA on its own - you can definitely work and you dont have to tell them. DLA is not means tested, I am still working and I receive DLA. So I am pretty sure about this! Also have experience claiming DLA for relative and it is pretty clearly not means tested in any way.
If you have other benefits that link into DLA you might have to tell them, if in doubt ask the benefit enquiry line and they will tell you, better to be sure,
cathy
Absolutely agree with Cathy. The DLA is nothing to do with your ability to work, and we can continue to receive it while working or when returning to work. You are right about having to inform the Incapacity Benefit people, because that is all about being unable to work.
All the best
Jacquie
Hi girls
Just a query, I’m having dla at the moment as I was on chemo as I had a recurrence, they only gave it to me for a year and it’s due to run out. I have just been told that I have another recurrence skin mets and it is uncurable so treatment for life to contain it, does this mean I can get dla???
Love Mel x
Hi Mel,
give them a call at the phone number on your original letter and tell them the situation. You may well find they will extend the time. They are very helpful.
Dawnhc