Selfemployed & benefits — Scope | Disability forum
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Selfemployed & benefits

char51
char51 Community member Posts: 7 Listener
in Benefits and financial support
I get PIP standard and currently work 12 hours a week selfemployed but I really need to stop due to my spinal issues. We can't get UC so the jobcentre told me to apply for ESA. I've put in a claim and a work coach is ringing Friday. I'm aiming for LCWRA and started submitting sick notes based on reduced hours 6 weeks ago. Atm I'm earning over £152 a week so will my claim be closed until I reduce my wage more. I'm scared to stop until I know I have benefits coming in but I really don't know what I'm doing as never claimed before except pip. I am due surgery at some point this year & been advised not to work afterwards. My NI is up to date. Also is ESA one payment and lcwra a 2nd payment or is it 1 payment? So confused by the system!


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Comments

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 49,780 Disability Gamechanger
    For permitted work when claiming ESA you’re allowed to earn up to £152/week. 

    LCWRA is part of Universal credit and not ESA. The equivalent for ESA is support Group. If placed into this group you will receive extra money from the 14th week of your claim… £117.60/week. Please note that those amounts are due to increase from April this year. 
    I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.
    If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help.
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  • char51
    char51 Community member Posts: 7 Listener
    Thank you, that helps 😊 
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  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 49,780 Disability Gamechanger
    If you're earning more than £152/week then you won't be entitled to ESA in those weeks. From April the permitted work earnings will increase to £166/week.
    I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.
    If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help.
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  • char51
    char51 Community member Posts: 7 Listener
    Thats what I was wondering thank you for replying :)
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  • calcotti
    calcotti Community member Posts: 10,011 Disability Gamechanger
    If you get £152 then you cannot be paid ESA and the award will be closed. You will then to claim again if you wish to claim ESA.
    Information I post is for England unless otherwise stated. Rules may be different in other parts of UK.
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  • calcotti
    calcotti Community member Posts: 10,011 Disability Gamechanger
    (I am facing it very frustrating to edit replies as or after replies are being pasted to to expect to a post as special thoughts occur.)

    To be worth adding on the £152 consideration. Self employment earnings are generally based assessed over a year so getting just £152 for one year isn’t generally an issue.
    Information I post is for England unless otherwise stated. Rules may be different in other parts of UK.
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  • calcotti
    calcotti Community member Posts: 10,011 Disability Gamechanger
    This guidance explains how self employed earnings are to be reported and calculated
    https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/810648/admv5.pdf
    Information I post is for England unless otherwise stated. Rules may be different in other parts of UK.
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  • char51
    char51 Community member Posts: 7 Listener
    Thank you!!
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