Shared Lives South West is committed to promoting independence together with work and volunteering opportunities for those supported.  Supporting an individual to do this requires the carer, the Shared Lives South West funding and benefits team and their Shared Lives Coordinator to work closely together.

The funding and benefits team can support with the first stepping stone into work by providing money information about how work will affect the person’s benefits, so that they can make an informed decision about moving into work.

To highlight the journey into work and the impact it has had on them, Maria chatted with the funding and benefits team and is happy to share her story.

Maria started using Shared Lives services in October, 2023 and at the time, she wasn’t working.

She had been diagnosed with depression and anxiety, which made her hesitant to start working. She mentioned that she used to get bored easily and preferred to keep her mind occupied. After some consideration, with Maria started to apply for jobs all with her carer’s support.

They were on hand throughout and provided lots of encouragement. Reassurance where needed, support with applications, and preparation for interviews to ease the anxiety.

Funding and benefits

Following successful interviewing, Maria decided to start working as a kitchen porter at a garden centre for 16 hours a week.
The SLSW funding and benefits team worked with Maria and explained as she is claiming Universal Credit and not ESA, she can work the hours she likes and it will be worked out in the background with HMRC reporting.

The funding and benefits team explained that if she started working full time, she would need to pay something towards the cost of her care to the local authority but the earnings are all hers to keep. We explained that the personal allowance may have to be reduced to cover this, but while she is working part-time this is unlikely to be affected.

Maria’s carers also support her by breaking down information to a format that she can understand and reduce any heightened anxieties. Maria will also contact the funding and benefits team herself if she is unsure about something or ask her carers for support.

Working

On her first day, Maria felt very nervous about meeting new people and stayed quiet. She said the first few weeks were challenging as she adjusted to the tasks and got to know her colleagues. However, after some time, Maria made new friends and now enjoys taking breaks with her coworkers, who she describes as being like family.

She feels that her colleagues are very supportive and have really helped her feel at ease.

After some time, Maria was offered extra hours at work, and she discussed this with the funding

and benefits team. They informed her that, as she receives Universal Credit, she was free to work as many hours as she likes, with the earnings automatically adjusted in the background. HMRC reports her earnings each month.

If you are currently in receipt of the old style of benefit entitlement such as Employment Support Allowance, then the journey would be more restrictive in that you would be advised to apply for permitted work, so please discuss this with the funding and benefits team.

Universal Credit

However, on a more positive note going forward, it is the intention of the Department for Work and Pensions to transfer people onto the Universal Credit system and it maybe that we will be in contact with you to discuss this at some point in the future and as you can see Universal Credit is more flexible around people that work.

Help to Save

As Maria was working, it also allowed the Funding & Benefits team to discuss the “Help to Save” scheme with her.

Maria is passionate about her holidays and has a goal of learning to drive. She was eager to work more hours to save extra money towards these goals. Each month she has been saving half of her wages and is determined to put money aside to achieve these goals.

To qualify for the Help to Save scheme your take home pay must be more than £793.17 per month, Maria was pleased that she was eligible for the Help to Save scheme. This scheme offers a 50% bonus on the amount saved.

Saving

Over a four-year period, Maria can save up to £50 each month, which totals £1,200 after 24 months. She can continue saving for another 24 months, bringing her total savings to £2,400. After two years, she will receive a bonus of £600, and another £600 after four years, resulting in a total of £1,200 in bonus payments. Maria has signed up for the Help to Save account, with the assistance of the funding and benefits team, one of the team sat with Maria to do this and guide. and plans to use the savings and bonuses toward purchasing a car once she has passed her driving test.

Currently, Maria is working in the deli and hopes to pursue a qualification in catering to gain more experience and develop her cooking skills.

When asked what advice she would give to others with mental health issues or disabilities who are hesitant to start working, Maria had a suggestion. She said start with something simple and easy to get into, then work your way up once you build confidence.

She also shared that working helps keep her mind occupied, which has been beneficial for her.

Skills

Maria has developed a variety of skills through her work experience. She has learned how to cook, build friendships, work independently, stay organised, plan effectively, and make commitments. She has expressed that she is grateful for having a job.

As you can see from Maria’s journey not only is she working towards full financial independence, she also talks about the positivity and confidence it has brought to her.

Benefit advice

If you use Shared Lives services and would like to look at work opportunities, please do not hesitate to contact the funding and benefits team for advice.

Maria will now work towards managing her own benefits, this is a long-term goal for the future.

Her carers have conversations with her about budgeting. Initially, the support was greater – talking through outgoings, identifying how much money is needed for these, and what Maria has left. She now manages this mainly independently but requests support from her carers around savings.

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