Benefits and employment (easy read)
Easy read guide on how employment can affect your benefits.
![Money](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2021-07/image4.png?itok=_zl6jp6d)
You can still work and receive benefits.
![A person sitting at a desk with a laptop](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2021-07/image5.png?itok=vICgZJWv)
Some types of benefits are affected by working and some are not.
![Two people filling out a form](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2021-07/image6.png?itok=pV4O6sPU)
The benefits that are not affected by working are:
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
![A man thinking](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2021-07/image7.png?itok=67gDMuYn)
The benefits that are affected by working are:
• Income support (IS)
• Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
• Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Universal Credit (UC)
![A Personal Independence Payment leaflet](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2021-07/image8.png?itok=1FA1INaP)
You can get Personal Independence Payment whether you’re working or not.
![Money](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2021-07/image4_0.png?itok=7xla-seM)
How much you earn will not affect your Personal Independence Payment.
![A clock radio](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2021-07/image9.png?itok=Eeg54KOW)
How many hours you work will not affect your Personal Independence Payment.
![An Income Support leaflet](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2021-07/image10.png?itok=QkbRyEBM)
Income Support and Jobseeker’s Allowance are affected the same way.
![A clock and a calendar](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2021-07/image11.png?itok=2DxM6S0s)
If you work less than 16 hours a week, you can still make a claim.
![Money](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2021-07/image4_1.png?itok=nrXj4uHw)
The amount you receive will depend on how much you earn.
![A calendar](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2021-07/image12.png?itok=v3-ag2Bu)
Some jobs allow you to work more than 16 hours per week.
![A volunteer role](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2021-07/image13.png?itok=YJDisstA)
These jobs include:
• Carers
• Volunteers
![Two people, one with a wheelchair](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2021-07/image14.png?itok=ZUmdgxQo)
• People on certain training schemes
• Disabled people with low earnings due to disability
![A group of people](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2021-07/image15.png?itok=oIXageur)
• People living in residential care or a nursing home
![An Employment and Support Allowance leaflet](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2021-07/image16.png?itok=TjUlJgh2)
You can still work and claim Employment and Support Allowance as long as you:
![A clock radio](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2021-07/image9_0.png?itok=N56GdnwE)
• Work less than 16 hours a week
• Do not earn more than £143 a week
![A clock and a calendar](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2021-07/image11_0.png?itok=3s1RZVaJ)
You can work over 16 hours a week if the role is voluntary.
![A man thinking](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2021-07/image17.png?itok=cf9WGaei)
You can also work more than 16 hours a week if the role is:
![A group of people making a plan](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2021-07/image18.png?itok=i88kRie4)
• Part of treatment program with medical supervision
![Two people shaking hands](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2021-07/image19.png?itok=AnG3tLdD)
• Managed by a local council or voluntary organisation that arranges work for people with disabilities
![A woman holding money](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2021-07/image20.png?itok=BEMY7fAE)
How much Universal Credit you receive will depend on how much you earn at work.
![A man ready to work](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2021-07/image21.png?itok=TpZOR-Xg)
Universal Credit is paid to people in or out of work.
![A wristwatch](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2021-07/image22.png?itok=d4BV0R8k)
You can work any number of hours and still receive Universal Credit.
![Money](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2021-07/image4_2.png?itok=ja3F23zT)
Your payment will reduce as you earn more.
For every £1 you earn, your payment reduces by 63p.
![A woman thinking](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2021-07/image23.png?itok=hNQHTHTB)
You can earn a certain amount before your Universal Credit is reduced if:
![A woman and a child waving](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2021-07/image24.png?itok=Yuw0Pz8I)
• You are responsible for a child or young person
![Two people, one with a wheelchair](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2021-07/image14_0.png?itok=NJQWNGjg)
• You are living with a disability or health condition that affects your ability to work
![Two people shaking hands](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2021-07/image25.png?itok=xVVHwHF_)
This is called a work allowance.
![Two people filling out a form](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2021-07/image6_0.png?itok=9GuLb1N9)
Your work allowance will be £293 if you get help with housing costs.
![A woman and a form](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2021-07/image26.png?itok=8-H8eR6u)
Your work allowance will be £515 if you do not get help with housing costs.
![Easy read icon](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2021-07/image27.png?itok=DSKmd9RP)
For more easy read guides on work and benefits, visit Mencap at:
www.mencap.org.uk/advice-andsupport/benefits/money-and-benefits