Stopping and starting work

kami24

As i am on esa support group and get lonely and sad at home i am considering working however if i start and stop a job then go back on benefits would i lose my benefits if i lost my job? As i have bpd (emotionally unstable personality disorder) losing my job is highly likely to happen so i need to make sure i would still get any benefit again after losing a job otherwise i would basically be homeless

Adrian_Scope

Hi @kami24. You could look into 'Permitted work' under ESA which would mean your benefits continue even while you're working so you can see how you'd get on. 
There's some information about this here: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/employment-and-support-allowance/while-youre-getting-esa/working-while-getting-esa/

poppy123456

Hi,

Do be aware that if you do decide to try permitted work, if the work you do goes against the reasons why you're claiming ESA then you could be reassessed early and it could go against you once the decision is made.

You must also fill out the PW1 form before starting work.

kami24

Yeah permitted work is different anyway to any job but I guess people do work and claim tax credits with ordinary /non permitted supported work 

poppy123456

What makes you think permitted work is any different to any other job?

It's not, it's the same. Providing you work less than 16 hours per week and don't earn anymore than £131.50 per week after deductions you keep all your existing benefits. All details in the link Adrian posted above.

kami24

Volunteer?? 

poppy123456

Permitted work can be paid or voluntary. Have you read the link that was posted above?

kami24

I think disabled people still work though and claim working tax credits to be honest and it doesn't have to be permitted 

kami24

I have read alot 

poppy123456

Yes of course disabled people still work and claim working tax credits but doing permitted work will at least let you see if you can do some work without your benefits being affected.

Have you also put your details into a benefits calculator? You may not be entitled to full housing benefit if you work, it will depend on how much you'll be earning. You also need to be working more than 16 hours per week to claiming working tax credits.

Permitted working doing less than 16 hours means you can keep all of your existing benefits, providing the work you do doesn't contradict the reasons why you're claiming ESA.

Weren't you claiming JSA not that long ago and couldn't cope so claimed ESA? We may think we can work but when we try it, it may not be as easy as you think it is.

WhileIBreathIHope

Volunteer would be my suggestion, ask about this prior to anything else- you don't want to be in position I'm in

kami24

Yep I'm not sure about working at all but in the future need to try to do something otherwise I will feel even worse

kami24

Mentally I cannot work too much though so maybe permitted work is an option 

poppy123456

kami24 said:

Mentally I cannot work too much though so maybe permitted work is an option 

This is exactly why permitted work is there so you can at least try it and see how you cope. You will need to contact DWP and fill out a form whether it's paid or voluntary.

WhileIBreathIHope

kami24 said:

Mentally I cannot work too much though so maybe permitted work is an option 

Small incremental steps, I went to housebound and stitched by DWP- every day is hard ,but I’m not being monitored or abused by powers at be.

Long term I need a plan B.

good luck with your journey to where you want to be