Permitted work while on ESA

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beccymelody
beccymelody Online Community Member Posts: 27 Connected
in Work

Hi everyone,

I'm currently on ESA and waiting to hear if I will assessed for work capability.

I've been given the opportunity to help a friend manage her socials and occasioal virtual assistant work. It's £125 per month plus a little extra if Im required to be a VA for a few hours. It's something I can do while propped up in bed if necessary, I don't have to drive anywhere and there is no strict hours.

Does anyone know if this is something that would be allowed? While my body is very restricted and not capable, my brain very much is.

Thank you

Comments

  • Rosie_Scope
    Rosie_Scope Posts: 6,207 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    Hi @beccymelody, Usually with ESA you can work up to 16 hours a week and earn up to £183.50 per week after tax, so it sounds like what you're planning to do should be okay. You would need to let them know that you're going to start working and get it all confirmed.

    There's a bit of information about permitted work on the government website here that you might find useful to read through:

    Permitted work factsheet - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

    It sounds like a great opportunity, I hope you're able to go forward with it 😊

  • beccymelody
    beccymelody Online Community Member Posts: 27 Connected
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/913160#Comment_913160

    Thank you!

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing

    @Rosie_Scope To be clear it's less than 16 hours per week and not up to 16 hours. If someone works 16 hours per week their ESA would end.

    From the link you posted.

    Permitted work means you can:

    • work for less than 16 hours each week
    • earn no more than £183.50 each week, after tax and National Insurance has been taken off

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