ESA rules for self employed freelance work - advice needed

WOODY46246F
WOODY46246F Online Community Member Posts: 2 Listener
in Work

Hi, I have several chronic illnesses (Crohn's Disease, Fibromyalgia, Long Covid, Stage 2 Chronic Kidney Disease and Obstructive Sleep Apnoea) and was migrated from WTC to UC with transitional protection last year and this has just ended today as we have savings over the limit.

My partner is disabled and retired and is on Attendance Allowance.

I currently claim PIP but am continuing to work.

I think I need to claim ESA but unsure of the rules regarding self employment and freelance work. My earnings can be sporadic, some months nothing and others would be over the £195 limit.

On ESA do they average out the earnings over a month or do they stop your claim as soon as you earn over £195 in one week?

I ask as I'm not well enough for all the red tape that comes with reapplying every time I go over the limit for one job. I'm struggling with several serious conditions at the same time when a lot of people can't cope with one of them. I'm exhausted and struggling to cope.

My Limited Capability for Work forms were sent in just before Christmas and I am waiting for a decision.

I can't contact my UC work coach as the journal for it is now closed.

I think I need to drop my hours to 16 hrs per week which should be ok for me as I already have a lot of the setting up online done (I've been a freelancer for 33 years).

We were forced into the managed migration and it's been a nightmare since September 2024.

Any advice would be welcome - it's difficult when you aren't on a regular wage - thanks in advance.

Kindest Regards

Woody

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Comments

  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Online Community Member Posts: 5,595 Championing

    Hi,

    The first question to ask is whether you've been able to work enough over the past 2/3 years to have full NI contributions for those years? If not, you won't be eligible for NS ESA anyway.

    Secondly, I'm not sure how your WCA pathway works now. That may be ended by the closure of your UC account. It's a shame that wasn't completed while the UC claim was still open.

    Regarding Permitted Work, the income can be averaged over 4-5 weeks for people with irregular earnings. This is something you would discuss with ESA when setting up the Permitted Work with them.

  • WOODY46246F
    WOODY46246F Online Community Member Posts: 2 Listener

    Thanks for your reply. The WCA was delayed by the UC team as they kept forgetting to send the forms out. They finally went in late December. Yes, I've worked for many years but I struggle with my health conditions. I'll check my NI contributions but I used to get a yearly exception notice and also I've never earned above the cut-off threshold for NI payments. I have just sent the ESA application in online as it needs doing and no point in putting it off. My health has worsened and I'm getting older so I hope to cut my hours down to 16 per week from my current 30+ hours. This is why I need to try to claim ESA as I need the support.

  • Mary_Scope
    Mary_Scope Posts: 3,562 Scope Online Community Children and Family Specialists

    Hi @WOODY46246F and a warm welcome to the community from me.

    I see that OverlyAnxious has already answered your question and given you some good advice so I won't add anything else today but it's lovely to have you here on the community and I hope you enjoy your time here😊

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