Lcwra, potential new job 20hrs

Fernie

Hi

I've been offered a job interview for a remote work from bed job that is 20 hours. I will ask if I can do 16hrs but I have a feeling that there will also be the potential for overtime occasionally. I have only recently started a new treatment and come out of a bout of poor health and hospital stays so I don't feel ready to fully give up ESA and lwcra yet.. And just dive in with 20hrs and potentially lose my ESA. I'm not sure what to do I am in a dilemma..

Also the pay for 16hrs is still higher than that qouted on the permitted work form. I don't know why they think that disabled people who want to experiment with paid work should only consider low paid roles especially when we may have been in higher paid roles in the past. All a bit odd. This role is £15 per hour so above the '

• earn no more than £183.50 each week, after tax and National Insurance has been taken off'

I'm not sure what to do really…

I'm hoping that I will still keep my UC and housing benefit from the calculations I have done

poppy123456

Permitted work rules for ESA mean it's less than 16 hours per week. If you work 16 hours and more then your ESA will stop. You must report the changes if you'll be working 16 hours or more per week.

As you're also claiming UC as well then there's no financial gain for you by claiming both of those at the same time. For UC you have the work allowance and there's no maximum amount of hours you can work.

As your UC includes help with the rent known as housing element (not housing benefit) then your work allowance will be £404/month. For every £1/week of earnings over that amount your UC reduces by 55p.

If you start working you must report the changes for UC by logging into your journal and clicking report a change. Then click work and earnings and report it through there.

Rachel_Scope

That's great news @Fernie! Fingers crossed you get the job. I understand that claiming benefits and then going into work is confusing, I've been through it myself. Poppy has given some great info there, I hope it's helped clear things up a bit. Will you let us know how the interview goes?

JonnycJonny

Just to add if the work you undertake is contrary to the reason why you were entitled to the LCWRA element in the first place then it may go against you when your claim comes up for review. Be cautious but congratulations nonetheless.

Best wishes

JonnycJonny

Very sorry - should have said 'if the work you undertake conflicts with...' rather than ' if the work you undertake is contrary to…'

Best wishes