Would I be able to claim ESA if I left work?

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Julua
Julua Online Community Member Posts: 3 Listener
I current work 16 hrs a week and suffer from osteoarthritis. It is becoming increasingly more difficult for me to work due to the pain in my joints particularly my hands. My employers have been very good and have adjusted my work as much as poss. 
Would I be able to claim ESA if I left work. 

Comments

  • steve51
    steve51 Online Community Member Posts: 7,121 Championing
    Hi @Julua

    Welcome to our website and online community I hope that you are having a good morning.

    I have attached a link to our "Benefit Calculator" below.

    https://www.scope.org.uk/support/disabled-people/calculate-benefits

    Please please let me know if I can help you further ????

  • Alex
    Alex Scope Posts: 1,281 Pioneering
    Julua,

    Welcome to the community! I hope we can help you.

    There's more information about ESA eligibility on the Gov website - it has the same advice as Steve - to use a benefits calculator to check if you are eligible. You may need to claim Universal Credit instead.

  • Nystagmite
    Nystagmite Online Community Member Posts: 595 Empowering
    Julua said:
    I current work 16 hrs a week and suffer from osteoarthritis. It is becoming increasingly more difficult for me to work due to the pain in my joints particularly my hands. My employers have been very good and have adjusted my work as much as poss. 
    Would I be able to claim ESA if I left work. 
    Generally, yes. You can't get sanctioned because you left work if you want to claim ESA.
  • Julua
    Julua Online Community Member Posts: 3 Listener
    Can I/ do I claim while still working, am worried that will be left without wages or ESA. 
  • Pippa_Alumni
    Pippa_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 5,761 Championing
    Hi @Julua, hopefully @BenefitsTrainingCo will be able to help you with this!
  • Sam_Alumni
    Sam_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,602 Championing
    Hi I have moved this to the Ask A Benefits Advisor category for you :)
  • BenefitsTrainingCo
    BenefitsTrainingCo Online Community Member Posts: 2,621 Trailblazing
    Hi Julua

    As others have said there is no sanction in ESA for leaving a job. It's more a question of whether you meet the broader qualifying rules for ESA. I suggest you use the Scope benefits calculator here to check your entitlements based on your circumstances if you were to stop work.

    Best wishes
    David