Need some advice about ESA and permitted work.

JustJem

Hi, I'm on income related ESA (in the support group) and have a job which is 4 weekly pay, and have figured out my pay days as follows:

9th August 

6th September 

4th October

1st November

29th November

27th December

I get paid twice on the November and I get annualised pay so it's essentially £10.25 per hour, and my hours are going to change from 12.5 hours per week to 15 hours in September.

Will my ESA stop due to the two payments in November due to the way the month works out?

Sorry if I'm a bit dense at this, but I'm new to 4 weekly pay. :)

Thanks.

poppy123456

It’s the weekly earnings amount that counts in your case, rather than the 4 weekly amount. Providing your weekly earnings do not go above £183.50 then it will be fine.

JustJem

Hi Poppy, sorry if I'm confused about this... but for example...as its annualised pay I will be earning £153.75 per week as it's 15 hours per week and £10.25 per hour.

I get paid the 1st November and then the 29th November, I'm genuinely worried that I won't be eligible for ESA after the payment on the 29th November.

Sorry for the confusion, you have a lot of patience and it's much appreciated.

poppy123456

No need to be sorry. Being paid twice in November is irrelevant. You are not earning more than £183.50 week and that is what counts.

JustJem

Hi Poppy, I'm getting what you are saying... I'll be earning £615 per month on the 1st November.

And then I get paid aagain on the 29th November, surely as it's a second time I'll get paid... I'll be over the esa criteria threshold.

Sorry for the confusion, I just worry that's all.

poppy123456

You are not paid monthly though, you are paid 4 weekly. The monthly amount is irrelevant.

As you’re paid 4 weekly then you will not be over the maximum amount. Divide what you receive by 4 on each of those dates and that will give the weekly amount, which is under £183.50/week.