Chance of work 16hrs

isaac887904

Hi, Good afternoon, Ive had mental health issues since I was was a child.
I am currently on ESA in the support group.
There is a chance I can get work with a friend, I want to work.
He has a business but I'm unsure how I go about telling the DWP and how it will affect my housing benefit and council tax e.t.c.
I live alone and have dependents but they live with their mother.
Any advice would be much appreciated.
Thanks David

poppy123456

HI and welcome,

You can do what's called permitted work when claiming ESA BUT you need to work less than 16 hours per week and earn no more than £140 per week after deductions. If you work 16 hours and more then you won't be entitled to any ESA and it will stop.

You need to speak to DWP and ask them to send you a PW1 form to fill in and return. Do be aware though that if the work you do contradicts the reasons why you're claiming ESA then you could be re-assessed early and the decision coulc go against you when it's made.

Information here. https://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/Permitted-Work-Rules

Permitted work shouldn't affect any housing benefit but you will need to report the changes to your local council so at least they know.

Alternatively if you're going to work more than 16 hours then it maybe worth you claiming Universal Credit before you start working and your ESA support group award will be honoured in UC and you'll be placed into the LCWRA group. Although before you do this you'll need to get a full benefits check by either using a benefits calculator or speaking to an advice agency near you.

Hope this helps.

Tori_Scope

Hello and welcome to the community @isaac887904 I hope that the above advice has been helpful!

Please feel free to ask any further questions you might have, and stick around to join in with our other recent discussions. 

isaac887904

Many thanks to you both you've been very helpful