If you are on benefits based on your incapacity to work, for example Employment Support Allowance / Incapacity Benefit or Income Support, you can take a training course or course of study. However, there are two important points to make:

Where a training allowance is paid

If the course is a government one which pays a training allowance, such as work-based learning, you will have to come off Employment Support Allowance / Incapacity Benefit or Income Support whilst you do the course. You might be able to return to these benefits at the end of the course and at the same rate but see below.

Effect on the assessment of your capacity to work

•  Whatever course you do, how you manage on the course can be taken into account in assessing your future incapacity for work.

•  However, the type of health condition you have and the type of course you take are the crucial factors. For example, If you have a bad back and complete a course in history, this might have no effect on your claim for benefit. But if you successfully complete training as a motor mechanic, that could obviously be different.