declaring earnings

[mosesg]

One of my friends used to be a hairdresser, but hasn't worked for the last 4 years due to having major surgery. She is at the moment claiming invalidity benefit, but she said she would like to slowly break herself back into working maybe doing one customer a week, max 2 hours work and earning probably max �40 per week, does she have to declare this to the tax office or is she not earning enough, would this also affect her benefits. She is an honest person and would like to keep everything above board and this is only at the idea stage at the moment.

[tigersam258]

if she wishes to keep everything 'above board' then she should declare this to the benefits office. If she is entitled to earn this amount as well as continue to receive her benefits then there is no problem. The Benefits Office will advise her legal rights accordingly. If she does not declare the earnings and if not entitled to the full amount of benefits but continues to claim them, they may perceive that as Benefit Fraud and can stop all of her benefits until the amount is repaid.

[mrs_overall]

Yes, "permitted work" is allowed, under certain circumstances.
This link explains it.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/Fin ancialSupport/IncapacityBenefit/DG_10020667