Originally published here.
Disability Working Allowance (DWA) is for working people who have an illness or disability that puts them at a disadvantage in getting a job. The following are some of the qualifying factors which psychiatrists need to know about (the wording is that used by the Department of Social Security).
(a) If the person is getting regular treatment for clinical depression, anxiety, phobias, panic attacks, nervous or emotional problems.
(b) If the person often gets disorientated, oftenforgets to turn household appliances off, always needs someone to help them with money, sometimes gets upset to the point where they attack people or break things, finds it so difficult or stressful getting on with people that it severely affects their life at home, work or leisure.
(c) If the person has had a fit or coma within the last 12 months in which they have lost consciousness.
(d) If the person is unable to work a normal working week because of physical exhaustion.
(e) If the person has difficulty understanding things or cannot make himself understood.
(f) If the person is still getting over the effects of an illness or needs time to build up his strength.
There is also a whole range of physical qualifying factors which includes problems with vision, hearing, speaking, manipulation, dexterity, pain, exhaustion, and recovery from an accident. One or more of these is sufficient and the person does not have to be mentally unwell or disabled. A physical illness or disability by itself can suffice.To be eligible for DWA, all three of the following points must apply.
1. The person must have an illness or disability that puts them at a disadvantage in getting a job, as already covered.
2. The person must be starting to work, or already at work, for 16 hours or more a week. The work can be as an employee or self employed. It must be work that is expected to last for at least five weeks and it must be paid.
3. The person must be already getting one of a range of benefits which include Mobility Allowance.
You can read the complete article here.
Or you can listen to it on Spotify.