About new style ESA & transitioning into work concerns

sarah26

Hi 

I have been on new style esa & in the non reviewed support group since 2020 with ME/CFS.

During this time i have been in touch and I have done a bit of volunteering & have been learning therapeutic techniques to help me help my self heal. 

I’m now in a position to think about working again. I have been speaking to citizens Advice throughout about when to contact the DWP about this. 

They have urged me not to contact the DWP until I feel ready to get going, and have said I was doing the right thing. They couldn’t guarantee what would happen to my benefits if I say that I want to begin with a slow approach. 

They have not come across many people on new style esa( ie with some savings)& in the support group. 

I am wanting to start my own business slowly, offering therapeutic support and I am developing it based on what I have been learning to help my self get better. 

I feel really anxious about this transition, about losing my benefits, suddenly being reviewed & the spotlight on me. Particularly when lining up clients is not guaranteed when you work for yourself. 

I feel I’m stuck in a bit of a trap in the system, wanting to move forward and also worried that I’ll have the support taken away as I start to get going & when I need it to help build my confidence & know that my health is ok through taking small steps and steady enough to start to begin working again. The worry about health comes because it can fluctuate so much. 

To add to this I was  diagnosed with adhd in the autumn & it can be a real challenge for me day to day, so yes i’m moving forward as I mentioned above, and also ADHD can be a real curve ball as I do a bit more, particularly with executive function challenges and rejection sensitivity dysphoria. It can be debilitating, so this will all be a slow process and I want to try.

I would welcome hearing of anybody’s insights and experiences in relation to my situation with new style esa and any potential suggestions about next steps or if I should be concerned about what I’m saying I’m planning to do.

Particularly any experience of this transition from the non reviewed support group into work & any insight into holding onto your benefits as you get going. Many thanks

Mary_Scope

Hi @sarah26 and a warm welcome to the community from me!

I don't have direct experience with this myself but hopefully other members who have been through it will jump in and share their experience with you soon.

Your new business sounds like a fantastic idea though and it's really generous of you to share what you've learned to help others on the same path😊.

Lovely to have you here and I look forward to seeing you around the community.

Mary_Scope

I've just noticed that some our wonderful members have replied to your other post on the same topic @sarah26😊

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/149253/trying-to-work-for-myself-on-new-style-esa-fear-of-triggering-a