Unclear if the client is regularly working 15 or more hours a week
If it is unclear whether the client will be regularly working 15 or more hours a week, you should discuss the matter with the client and the employer, if the client gives permission. This will help to determine whether the employment is regular.
If a client is regularly working 15 hours or more a week in open employment, and the exceptions below do not apply, Supported Living Payment must stop. You will need to consider if the client qualifies for another benefit or invite the client to apply for non beneficiary assistance and advise them of possible entitlement to Working for Families Tax Credits through Inland Revenue.
Exceptions
- clients who are totally blind are able to work 15 hours or more a week, without it affecting their qualification for Supported Living Payment
- clients undertaking an Sustainable Employment Trial with the prior agreement of their case manager
(These clients can work 15 hours or more a week for an agreed period of up to 26 weeks, without it affecting their qualification for Supported Living Payment during the agreed period)
If you are unable to determine whether the work will be regular at this time, Supported Living Payment should continue to be paid. However, you should arrange to reassess the matter at a later date. This will depend upon the individual client but a suggestion is to review their circumstances in one month.
If you are still unable to determine whether the work is regular at the next review, you should continue to meet with the client on a monthly basis until a decision can be made.
Note Supported Living Payment should continue until a decision is made that the employment is regular. No overpayment should be established as the client is entitled to Supported Living Payment until the decision is made that the work is regular.
For more information see:
