need serious guidance in understanding ESA and spouse with self employment income (but sporadic)

spacedireful

Hello, I'm on a spouse visa. My spouse receives PIP and ESA. I want to do self-employment work as this is what I did back home. The income from the self-employment would be sporadic. So I'd like to know if for example, I made 300 pounds in just one week and then nothing for the rest of the year, what happens to my spouse's ESA? does it get removed for that month or does it get removed entirely? if I made income for one portion of the year, then several months later, what would happen, etc. I don't understand this system at all, I've read but it always mentions weeks but I wouldn't be making income every single week. what is the process in place? Help is much appreciated.

spacedireful

no editing on this forum, so i also know about the 20 pound maximum one can make per week and then the rest gets taken off esa but if the income is sporadic how is that accounted for? thank you.

poppy123456

If ESA is reduced to zero and it's likely it will be if you earn £300 then it will stop completely and entitlement will end. If your partner is claiming Income Related ESA they would not be able to reclaim because it no longer exists for new claims.

Does your visa status include NRPF?

spacedireful

Yes my visa status is no recourse to public funds. So just earning 300 pounds one time in the year, that's the end of ESA for my spouse? that's quite incredible and limiting to be honest.

poppy123456

If any part of their ESA is contributions based then this will not be affected by your earnings. If it's all Income related then claiming Universal Credit maybe better.

As you have NRPF I'm afraid I can't give any further advice because this needs legal advice from an expert with immigration knowledge.

spacedireful

Thanks for the help Poppy, I appreciate it.

poppy123456

You're welcome.

Albus_Scope

Heya @spacedireful and welcome to the community.

I can see Poppy has already helped you out here, but I just wanted to pop in and say a quick hello. 😁