Received ESA50 advice please

poppy123456

That is the Support Group amount. You should receive the decision letter in the post soon. 

sunshine1981

The letter has arrived but it says I can get the support group money from may 23 to December 23. I thought it was ongoing until another review. Also I didn't start claiming esa until Feb 23 so it won't even have been a year. Do I need to question them on the dates? 

Kimi87

Those dates very likely refer to payment of the Christmas bonus, and nothing at all to worry about 

poppy123456

Kimmy87 said:

Those dates very likely refer to payment of the Christmas bonus, and nothing at all to worry about 

Agreed. Support Group is an ongoing award anyway so there's no end date.

sunshine1981

Im getting help from my mental health clinic with regards to finding work. I get new style ESA support group. I'm looking for 12 to 15 hours a week. I am worried that when they assess me again for ESA they will think if I can work those hours then I'm not entitled to the support group.
Can you appeal the decision?
If I loose and deemed fit for work does my 12 to 15 hours a week job mean I've worked within the last 2 years to claim again for new style ESA?
I hope that makes sense. 
My employment worker has said she is speaking to the team leader because I input from an occupational therapist because I'm struggling with going out, meeting new people etc. 
I'm also waiting for an autism assessment. 

poppy123456

This would be permitted work. You must make sure it's less than 16 hours per week and earn no more than £167/week. You must tell ESA you're working and fill out a PW1 form.

There's lot of people that do permitted work without any problems. It will only go against you if the work you do contradicts the reasons why you're claiming ESA.

Yes you can challenge the decision if it's anything other than the Support Group. It's always much better to challenge the decision rather than start a new claim. If you start a new claim you must have the correct NI contributions in the previous 2 tax years so it will depend on how long you've worked for.

sunshine1981

The support group gives you the NI credits so would they count?
Can you start work before you fill out the form? Do you have to wait for a reply from DWP before you start work? 

poppy123456

NI credits from the ESA alone aren't enough for a new claim. Yes you can start work before filling out the form and no you do not have to wait for permission to work.