Work and mental illness

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Many people find work a fulfilling and worthwhile use of their time and skills. You may have given up work due to mental illness and now feel ready to get back, either in a full-time or part-time capacity, or you may just be looking for something to do with your time and the ability to earn your own money or to aid your recovery. Key Points There could be different types of work you could try out to see how you manage. For example; voluntary, supported, part or full time work. Help and support in returning to work is available from various organisations. There can be both pros and cons to informing your employer about any mental health problems you have. If you tell your employer that you have a disability, you should be protected from discrimination by the Equality Act 2010 Depending on whether you get paid, and how much, some types of work can affect how much benefit you get. However there can also be other benefits and tax credits you could claim on top of your wages. You might need to think carefully about whether you would be better off going back to work or staying on benefits. Citizens Advice Bureaux can help you with this.

1. Types of Work There are many options for someone wishing to work. Among them you may consider: Volunteering Voluntary work is a good starting point for getting into work. You can try out different jobs and get a feel for what you are interested in. Voluntary work may lead to improved chances of getting a part-time or full-time job. You are allowed to do voluntary work while claiming Income Support, Employment and Support Allowance and Incapacity Benefit. Usually you will have your expenses paid for. For some people voluntary work is a suitable alternative to work because you are able to keep your benefits. This is an important factor to take into consideration.

Part Time There is no specific number of hours that makes work full or part-time. Part-time is generally considered to be less than 35 hours work per week. It has the advantage that you will be able to ease yourself into work more than if you took on a full-time role. Part-time work may also leave you with the flexibility to go to therapy -1Rethink is the operating name of the National Schizophrenia Fellowship, 15th Floor, 89 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TP Phone 0845 456 0 455, Fax 0207 820 1149, e-mail: info@rethink.org web site: www.rethink.org. For publications: www.mentalhealthshop.org. 2009, all rights reserved. No part of this leaflet may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without the permission, in writing, of the National Schizophrenia Fellowship. Rethink Advice Line: 0207 840 3188 Monday-Friday 10am 1pm

appointments during the day, do some additional training or look after your children. However, you should get some expert advice about how work will affect your benefits. Remember you will have to pay for lunch and travel out of the money you earn. The Citizens Advice can do a calculation of whether you will be better or worse off. Full Time If you are getting certain welfare benefits, any work done over 16hours will be classed as full time. However more generally full time work is seen as being around 35 hours per week. If you are returning to full-time work after a period of illness ask yourself what were the stressors that caused your mental illness. If any of these were work related try to reduce them. For some people a change of role or job would be advisable. Once again, you should consider the money you have coming in on benefits and what the benefits cover, the change in benefits once you start working and any additional costs associated with work. The Citizens Advice can calculate whether you are better or worse off. You will find contact details for Citizens Advice in the additional information section.

Self employment Self employment is a popular option of work for people with disabilities. 18% of disabled men and 8% of disabled women in paid work are self employed. This compares with 14% of non disabled men and 6% of non disabled women in paid work who are self employed1. There are various ways in which a business can be set up, including a sole trader, partnership and limited company. These legal structures will define how the business is registered, run, and who is liable for any debts incurred by a business. There are organisations that can help: Business Link provide free advice about setting up and running a business; and Business Debtline give advice about dealing with business debts. Contact details for these organisations are in the further information section. Apprenticeships If you have an idea about the type of career that you want but do not have the experience, skills or qualifications, an apprenticeship maybe a good option for you. An apprenticeship will give you the opportunity to learn on the job, gain nationally recognised qualifications and earn a small wage. You can get an apprenticeship in a wide range of sectors including Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Care; Health, Public Services and Care; and Leisure, Travel and Tourism. For more information contact the National Apprenticeship Service, their details can be found in the further information section.

Employment projects The work done by employment projects varies but is usually done in a sheltered workshop and will usually be largely people with mental health problems. A project -2Rethink is the operating name of the National Schizophrenia Fellowship, 15th Floor, 89 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TP Phone 0845 456 0 455, Fax 0207 820 1149, e-mail: info@rethink.org web site: www.rethink.org. For publications: www.mentalhealthshop.org. 2009, all rights reserved. No part of this leaflet may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without the permission, in writing, of the National Schizophrenia Fellowship. Rethink Advice Line: 0207 840 3188 Monday-Friday 10am 1pm

maybe very basic but this suits some people. There will be ongoing support from a professional caseworker. You should check beforehand but this type of work is unlikely to affect your benefits. The availability of these will depend on services in you local area, speak to your care co-ordinator to find out what (if any) projects are available in your area. Supported work Supported work is more flexible than employment projects. You could be working in a sheltered workshop but you may also be working in a large organisation. You will be supported while you work and may have opportunities for additional training. The Job Centre Plus scheme New Deal has a supported element. If you apply for New Deal for Disabled People the Jobcentre will offer you training and support while setting you up in a suitable position. The support may include a counsellor. They may not however have a great deal of experience in dealing with people with mental health problems. You might like to talk through the pros and cons of supported work with your GP before you talk to the Jobcentre. 2. What help is available to get into work? There are various schemes, programmes, organisations and training providers that can help people into work. Some of these will be a mandatory requirement of a benefit claim for example Pathways to Work or New Deal, others are schemes that you can volunteer for. The help available will depend on the programme or what the organisation has to offer but may include things like: help with looking at skills, abilities and experience and identifying suitable job opportunities; assistance with C.V writing and interview techniques; providing information about local job opportunities and supporting you in work. There is a summary below of the schemes and programme that are available through Jobcentre Plus. You will find contact details of other organisations that can help you find work in the useful information section. Access to Work Access to Work is a scheme designed to help if you are in a paid job, about to start a job or work trial or are self employed and have health or disability needs that affect your ability to do your job. It is a service provided by Jobcentre Plus which gives you and your employer advice and support with costs which may arise because of your needs, for example assistance with reasonable adjustments. If you are interested in Access to Work you can check your eligibility on the Directgov website or contact your regional Access to Work Centre, alternatively speak to the Disability Employment Adviser at your local Jobcentre Plus. Pathways to Work -3Rethink is the operating name of the National Schizophrenia Fellowship, 15th Floor, 89 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TP Phone 0845 456 0 455, Fax 0207 820 1149, e-mail: info@rethink.org web site: www.rethink.org. For publications: www.mentalhealthshop.org. 2009, all rights reserved. No part of this leaflet may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without the permission, in writing, of the National Schizophrenia Fellowship. Rethink Advice Line: 0207 840 3188 Monday-Friday 10am 1pm

Pathways to Work is a programme available to people who claim Incapacity Benefit, Income Support on the grounds of incapacity and Employment and Support Allowance. It is mandatory for all new Employment and Support Allowance claimants in the Work-Related Activity Group and is available on a voluntary basis for existing claimants (both ESA and IB/IS). The Pathways to Work programme is partly operated by private and voluntary organisation and partly by Jobcentre Plus. The organisation that operates it will vary depending on where you live. In 2011 the Work Programme will replace Pathways to Work (see below). New Deal for Disabled People New Deal for Disabled People provides advice and support, which helps people who are claiming health and disability related benefits move into paid employment. It is delivered through Job Brokers from a range of organisations. Each Job Broker offers different services, and the services should be tailored to your individuals needs. New Deal for Disabled People is only available in certain parts of the country, if it is not available in your area, help and advice is provided by Pathways to Work providers. For more information, please contact your local Jobcentre Plus. Work Programme New Deal for Disabled People and Pathways to Work will shortly be replaced by Work Programme. The aim is to provide personalised support to those claiming Job Seekers Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance. This factsheet will be updated with more details in the near future. 3. Applying for jobs, interviews and job offers Applying for a job with a mental health problem need not always be a negative experience. People with mental health problems often have qualities that people without do not readily possess. The Working Minds campaign by MindOut2 highlighted the positive aspects someone with a mental health problem can bring to a job: Problem solving Ability to work with and relate to different sorts of people Tenacity Diplomacy Creativity Make use of your experiences both in writing your CV and in interview. You do not have to refer to mental illness, just the skills that you have developed as a result of it. Disclosing a past or present mental health problem At some point during a recruitment process you may choose, or find it necessary, to disclose details about your mental health history. You should think about the reason for disclosing and weigh up the pros and cons. If you are seeking employment will disclosing help you obtain work? If you are in employment will disclosing mean work can be managed without undue stress? Pros -4Rethink is the operating name of the National Schizophrenia Fellowship, 15th Floor, 89 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TP Phone 0845 456 0 455, Fax 0207 820 1149, e-mail: info@rethink.org web site: www.rethink.org. For publications: www.mentalhealthshop.org. 2009, all rights reserved. No part of this leaflet may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without the permission, in writing, of the National Schizophrenia Fellowship. Rethink Advice Line: 0207 840 3188 Monday-Friday 10am 1pm

If you declare that you have a disability you may be automatically given an interview as many organisations are trying to increase the number of disabled people working for them. If you admit that you have a disability in that you have a mental illness you will be protected by the Equality Act 2010 (EqA) which means that it will be illegal for the prospective company to discriminate against you. Disclosing you have a disability means that the prospective company must make reasonable adjustments to enable you to do the job. This may mean additional supervision for someone with a mental health problem. Disclosing having a mental health problem allows you to control how this is presented to your employer. For instance, you may have particularly strong interpersonal skills or problem solving skills if you have had mental health difficulties and you could tell them in this way. Cons Admitting you have had or have a mental health problem can lead to unfair treatment when applying for a job. For instance, you may not be given an interview or may not be offered the job. While you are covered by the EqA, often it is hard to prove that this is because of your mental health problem instead of that you did not make the grade. You may be worried about the stigma associated with mental illness and how this might affect you in the workplace if your employers and/or colleagues know about your mental health difficulties. If you choose to do so there are different ways of disclosing your mental illness to an employer. You may wish to tell them on the application form, or on a covering letter. Alternatively, you may wish to wait until the interview or until after you have been offered the job. Try to put your difficulties in a positive light as to what you have gained and remembering why you think you can do this job regardless of your mental health difficulties. 4. Equality Act 2010 The Equality Act 2010 (EqA) has consolidated the existing legislation in relation to discrimination including the Disability Discrimination Act 1995; the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 and the Race Relations Act 1976. It is designed to protect the rights of individuals and advance equality of opportunity for all. The act states that a person has a disability if they have a physical or mental impairment, and the impairment has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to perform normal day-today activities. People who have had a disability in the past that meets this definition are also protected by the Act. The EqA has restricted the questions that a prospective employer can ask about health or disability in an application form, therefore you do not normally have to provide any information about your health on your initial application form. An -5Rethink is the operating name of the National Schizophrenia Fellowship, 15th Floor, 89 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TP Phone 0845 456 0 455, Fax 0207 820 1149, e-mail: info@rethink.org web site: www.rethink.org. For publications: www.mentalhealthshop.org. 2009, all rights reserved. No part of this leaflet may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without the permission, in writing, of the National Schizophrenia Fellowship. Rethink Advice Line: 0207 840 3188 Monday-Friday 10am 1pm

employer may still ask these questions but they should only be asked for specific reasons e.g. to enable the employer to make reasonable adjustments in the interview or to establish that an applicant can carry out tasks necessary for the job3. Reasonable adjustments The duty for an employer to make reasonable adjustments was a legal responsibility under the DDA and is covered by section 20 of the Equality Act. It is intended to make sure disabled people do not face substantial difficulties in employment, by recognising that individual treatment may be needed. Reasonable adjustments may include agreeing to start and finish times which are more manageable (flexible hours), a change of workspace, or if possible, a change of job role (redeployment). The EqA defines a reasonable adjustment as a reasonable step taken to prevent a disabled person suffering a substantial disadvantage in relation to a relevant matter in comparison with persons who are not disabled4. If you feel that reasonable adjustments need to be made, you should first consider what adjustments you feel would be beneficial and the reasons you feel they should be made. You should either put your request in writing or ask for a meeting with your employer to discuss the matter in detail. You can contact the Rethink Advice and Information Service or the Equality and Human Rights Commission for further advice on this. 5. Work and benefits Starting work may affect your right to benefits or the amount you get. The benefits system is very complex and this presents only a brief summary of how you may be affected if you choose to start work. If you are on benefits you should contact a benefits advice agency such as the Citizens Advice to calculate if you will be better or worse off. Voluntary work - Voluntary work is defined as work that you do as a result of performing a service for someone, a charity or voluntary organisation without expecting to be paid. You are allowed to do voluntary work if you get Income Support, Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance or other incapacity-related benefit as long as you are not working for your: parent (in-law or step-parent) son or daughter (in-law or step) partner of the above You must not be paid for your work but you can claim expenses such as travel. There is no limit on the number of hours you can volunteer. Paid work - Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance are payable whether or not you are working. However, starting a job may suggest that your care or mobility needs have changed and your benefit entitlement could be reconsidered. -6Rethink is the operating name of the National Schizophrenia Fellowship, 15th Floor, 89 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TP Phone 0845 456 0 455, Fax 0207 820 1149, e-mail: info@rethink.org web site: www.rethink.org. For publications: www.mentalhealthshop.org. 2009, all rights reserved. No part of this leaflet may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without the permission, in writing, of the National Schizophrenia Fellowship. Rethink Advice Line: 0207 840 3188 Monday-Friday 10am 1pm

You can earn a maximum of 20 a week while claiming Incapacity Benefit, Income Support, Employment and Support Allowance, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit without it affecting the amount of benefits you receive. This is known as the permitted work lower limit. You can do this for as long as you want. If you are receiving Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance, under permitted work higher limit you can earn up to 95.00 a week without it affecting your benefits. You must not work more than 16 hours a week and you can normally only work for 52 weeks depending on which benefit you are receiving. You must also tell the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) that you have started work as soon as possible. Although the work that falls into these categories above is allowed, it may not be ignored completely. The sort of activities or tasks you are able to do, whether they are connected with the work or not, could be taken into account when deciding whether you pass the incapacity/capability for work assessment. When you start work the decision maker may, in some cases, decide to refer your case to a DWP doctor for an opinion and you may find yourself subject to another medical examination. Any money you earn that is above the permitted work limit will affect the amount of money you receive from your benefits. If your earnings increase significantly or you work over 16 hours a week, your Income Support or Employment and Support Allowance (income related) may stop and if this happens, your entitlement to help with prescriptions will automatically end. Housing Benefit (HB) and Council Tax Benefit (CTB) claims will also be affected by paid work. If you or you partner are doing permitted work the earnings limit (either 20 or 95) is also disregarded when calculating your housing benefit and council tax benefit entitlement. Other benefits to take into account While considering a return to work you can stay on the benefit you are currently claiming. If you have decided to return to work you may be entitled to other benefits. Firstly while you look for work you will be entitled to Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA). If you are working less than 16 hours a week you can still claim JSA. You can keep up to 20 a week of earnings but you must be looking and available for full-time work. If you get income-based JSA you will automatically qualify for help with prescription charges. If you start working at least 16 hours per week and your job is due to last for at least 5 weeks, you may be able to claim a job grant. To be eligible you have to have been claiming Income Support, JSA, ESA, IB or SDA for at least 26 weeks. The grant is 100 or 250 if you have children. There is also return to work credit which you can claim if you start work but you had been claiming IB, ESA, SDA or IS (due to incapacity) for 13 weeks. The return to work credit is 40 per week and is paid for up to 52 weeks. Your earnings must be less than 15,000 per year.

-7Rethink is the operating name of the National Schizophrenia Fellowship, 15th Floor, 89 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TP Phone 0845 456 0 455, Fax 0207 820 1149, e-mail: info@rethink.org web site: www.rethink.org. For publications: www.mentalhealthshop.org. 2009, all rights reserved. No part of this leaflet may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without the permission, in writing, of the National Schizophrenia Fellowship. Rethink Advice Line: 0207 840 3188 Monday-Friday 10am 1pm

If you decide to set up your own business and become self-employed, you can also claim self-employment credit which is 50 per/week. When you start work you may be able to claim Working Tax Credit if you are on a low enough income. It contains an extra element for if you are disabled. However it is important to note that if you qualify for Working Tax Credit and your income is increased you may no longer be eligible to claim for Income Support, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit. There could be additional benefits you may qualify for if you decide to go to work, for full details on the benefits above and others that you may claim please contact your nearest Citizens Advice Bureau.

Further information: The Rethink Advice & Information Service produces a number of fact sheets on a range of different issues that affect people with mental illness. They are also able to give confidential, impartial, practical advice on all aspects of mental illness. They can be contacted at: Rethink Advice & Information Service 15th Floor 89 Albert Embankment London SE1 7TP Tel: 0845 456 0455 or 020 7840 3188, Monday to Friday 10am 1pm Email: advice@rethink.org www.rethink.org

Rethink Employment Services provides a wide range of employment and training services to people with severe mental illness. Our high quality services help individuals access employment, retain their jobs and regain their self-confidence and independence. To find out what employment and training services there are in your local area click the map or enter your postcode on the search for services page of our website: www.rethink.org , alternatively contact the advice and information service. Citizens Advice offers free, confidential impartial and independent advice. It has expertise in dealing with benefits claims and appeals but not always expertise in claims involving mental illness. To find your local office look in the Yellow Pages or log onto www.citizensadvice.org.uk/

The Benefits Enquiry Line can provide general information and advice on all benefits, personal benefit calculations, and phone completion of Attendance -8Rethink is the operating name of the National Schizophrenia Fellowship, 15th Floor, 89 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TP Phone 0845 456 0 455, Fax 0207 820 1149, e-mail: info@rethink.org web site: www.rethink.org. For publications: www.mentalhealthshop.org. 2009, all rights reserved. No part of this leaflet may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without the permission, in writing, of the National Schizophrenia Fellowship. Rethink Advice Line: 0207 840 3188 Monday-Friday 10am 1pm

Allowance, Disability Living Allowance and Carers Allowance claim forms. They can be contacted on: Freephone: 0800 220 674 Minicom: 0800 243 787 Monday-Friday 9am-5pm Outside hours you can leave a request and you will hear back from them within a day. The Disability Law Service can provide information on all matters surrounding disability which includes work and discrimination. They may help you challenge decisions which discriminate against you as a disabled person. Disability Law Service, 39-45 Cavell Street, London, E1 2BP Tel: 020 7791 9800 Textphone: 020 7791 9801 e-mail: advice@dls.org.uk website: www.dls.org.uk Volunteering England is an independent charity and membership organisation, committed to supporting, enabling and celebrating volunteering in all its diversity. They have an England wide network of volunteer centres. A centre close to you can be found on their website Website: www.volunteering.org.uk Do-it was launched in 2001 with the first national database of volunteering opportunities in the UK. Website: www.do-it.org.uk Remploy is one of the UK's leading providers of employment services to people with barriers to work. Remploy 18c Meridian East Meridian Business Park Leicester LE19 1WZ Telephone: 0845 155 2700 Website: www.remploy.co.uk Email: info@remploy.co.uk Shaw Trust is a national charity which supports disabled and disadvantaged people to prepare for work, find jobs and live more independently. Website: www.shaw-trust.org.uk

-9Rethink is the operating name of the National Schizophrenia Fellowship, 15th Floor, 89 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TP Phone 0845 456 0 455, Fax 0207 820 1149, e-mail: info@rethink.org web site: www.rethink.org. For publications: www.mentalhealthshop.org. 2009, all rights reserved. No part of this leaflet may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without the permission, in writing, of the National Schizophrenia Fellowship. Rethink Advice Line: 0207 840 3188 Monday-Friday 10am 1pm

Richmond Fellowship offer a wide range of housing, care, employment and community support Services for people with mental health problems throughout the country. Richmond Fellowship 80 Holloway Road London N7 8JG Tel: 020 7697 3300 Website: www.richmondfellowship.org.uk National Apprenticeship Service is responsible for apprenticeships in England. Comprehensive information about apprenticeships in England can be found on their website. Website: http://www.apprenticeships.org.uk/ Business Link provides free business advice and support online and through local advisers. Tel: 0845 600 9006 Website: www.businesslink.gov.uk Business Debtline is a charity that provides free debt advice to small businesses over the telephone. They also have a website with useful factsheets and sample letters. Tel: 0800 197 6026 Website: www.bdl.org.uk

Rethink Advice & Information Service welcomes your feedback on whether this information was helpful to you. You can provide feedback in the following ways: By email: Please email your feedback to us at feedback@rethink.org. By post: You can write to us at the following address: Rethink Advice & Information Service Rethink 15th Floor 89 Albert Embankment London SE1 7TP By telephone: You can call us on 0845 456 0455 or 020 7840 3188 - 10 Rethink is the operating name of the National Schizophrenia Fellowship, 15th Floor, 89 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TP Phone 0845 456 0 455, Fax 0207 820 1149, e-mail: info@rethink.org web site: www.rethink.org. For publications: www.mentalhealthshop.org. 2009, all rights reserved. No part of this leaflet may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without the permission, in writing, of the National Schizophrenia Fellowship. Rethink Advice Line: 0207 840 3188 Monday-Friday 10am 1pm

Barriers to self employment Small Business Services 2002 http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file38357.pdf http://mindout.clarity.uk.net/wm/images/mo_tk_complete.pdf Equality Act 2010 s 60 http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/pdfs/ukpga_20100015_en.pdf Equality Act 2010 s20 para 3

Last updated 02/11

- 11 Rethink is the operating name of the National Schizophrenia Fellowship, 15th Floor, 89 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TP Phone 0845 456 0 455, Fax 0207 820 1149, e-mail: info@rethink.org web site: www.rethink.org. For publications: www.mentalhealthshop.org. 2009, all rights reserved. No part of this leaflet may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without the permission, in writing, of the National Schizophrenia Fellowship. Rethink Advice Line: 0207 840 3188 Monday-Friday 10am 1pm