ESA self employed and late payed invoice

maralions

Hello,

I am wanting to claim ESA as I am currently signed off sick. I am a self employed artist. I am not currently working, but am due an invoice that will be paid in a month for last month's work.

If this gets paid into my account it will take me over the weekly threshold. Can I ask for an allowance to be made as it's for backdated work?

I've tried and failed to get an answer from ESA helpline and today I keep getting hung up on, so wondering if anyone has experienced similar.

Thanks!

flour

Hi @maralions

Just to check, have you paid your class 2 NICS?

In connection with your payment I can offer the following advice.

Write to ESA with your enquiry or go to a job centre and ask there in person.

Contact an advice service such as Citizens Advice.

Or, put in the claim to ESA anyway.

Once you've applied you can write to them explaining the situation with the invoice. Claiming may be the best option as there is no guarantee this invoice will be paid and ESA may take the view that

a) you were entitled until the invoice was paid and then you can do a rapid reclaim after receiving the payment, or

b) that you remain entitled continuously because the invoice was for work done prior to the date of the claim, or

A different view.

If you decide to claim you can backdate your claim by up to 3 months, you don't need to give a reason why as long as you were sick for the period of back dating.

Hope this helps.

maralions

Thanks very much, I put the claim in this week. I would have liked to backdate it but I didn't get a sick note in time, although I may be able to ask for this retrospectively as I did see the doctor a month ago for the same reason.

Is backdating something I can do after applying or do I need to put a new claim in?

I managed to get through to them on the phone and they said it wasn't their decision but to speak to the job office when they process my claim. I do find it confusing how there are multiple departments for the same benefit who don't seem to speak to each other!

flour

Hello @maralions

I would write to ESA or call them. Tell them you made a mistake on your application form. The mistake was the start date. You wish to backdate it and give them the new date. Ask your GP for a fit note covering the backdated period. Then send it in.

You may find that an interview is due soon, you can report the start date error at the interview as well.