Going back to work

Beaches

I am in the New style ESA support group (contribution based), claiming for the last 3 years, and on PIP and am concerned about losing my PIP as just been asked to fill in review form.

If my PIP is taken away I will have to go back to work as I can't survive on ESA alone and not entitled to any other benefits.

If the work proofs too much can I return to the support group or is that it?

Thank you

Holly_Scope

Hi @Beaches so sorry you didn't get a response to this. Have you had your PIP review yet? There might be potential to apply for LCW/LCWRA if you're on ESA but if it does come to that, it may be worth speaking to someone like Citizens Advice who can talk you through the options, but hopefully it won't come to that.

Beaches

I haven't heard back yet about my PIP so no idea what hat is happening. I will try and contact Citizens advice again. Phone just kept ringing out.

Thank you for your reply anyway.

Holly_Scope

Sorry to hear @Beaches. You can also try Turn2us for some advice too.

Passerby

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/132469/going-back-to-work

"If the work proofs too much can I return to the support group or is that it?"

NO. Once you come off ESA, you may not be able to return to it, but you will be able to apply for UC.

An option is taking up what they call a "permitted work", which allows you to continue receiving your ESA while working. A permitted work allows you to:

~ work for less than 16 hours each week

~ earn up to £140 every week after tax

~ receive your normal amount of benefit

~ build up your skills and experience

~ be supported while you work – we call this supported permitted work

~ do voluntary work – there is no limit on how many hours a week you can do voluntary work for

To do a permitted work, you would need to fill in "Permitted work form" - PW1, which you can download from Gov.uk, and send it to the Jobcentre Plus office that deals with your benefit.

Hope this will help.

OverlyAnxious

As above, you can't go back on New Style ESA without having worked for the past 2 years.

Why do you think you're not entitled to any other benefits? Most people can claim Universal Credit as long as they have less than £16,000 in savings.