How do I stop/end ESA?

Scarffy
Scarffy Community Member Posts: 1 Listener
in Benefits and income

Hello,

I have been on universal credit and ESA for about 18 months but I am hoping to try get myself back out in the world and return to some form of work, probably just delivering for Evri and Deliveroo as I am unable to continue my trade due to my health. Do I simply phone up and tell ESA to stop my claim?

I currently get the standard allowance of universal credit and the LCWRA element, I am also in the support group of ESA but obviously the ESA amount comes off my universal credit.

Am I right in thinking that I will continue to receive the standard allowance for universal credit as well as the LCWRA element while working?

Thanks in advance

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Comments

  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Community Member Posts: 6,389 Championing

    Hi,

    If you'll be working more than 16 hours a week (or earning roughly over £200 a week) then yes phone ESA and tell them. They will end your claim based on the earnings threshold.

    It is true that you'll continue to get LCWRA without an earnings threshold, however that's only if the work you do doesn't contradict the reason that you were awarded LCWRA in the first place.

    It's also worth noting that there is an earnings deduction on LCWRA above a certain amount. If you get housing costs for a rented property then the Work Allowance in your case will be £427 a month. If you earn more than that, a deduction of 55p per £1 will be applied to the excess earnings.

  • Mary_Scope
    Mary_Scope Posts: 5,692 Scope Online Community Children and Family Specialists

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

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

  • flour
    flour Community Member Posts: 153 Empowering

    @Scarffy

    You can only work less than 16 hours per week (on average on ESA) but you can earn over the limit provided you bring your net pay back under the limit. One way to do this is by reducing your earnings through increasing your pension contributions at double the difference.

    Example: - You earn £250 per week with the ESA limit of £200 per week, You pay £101 per week in to your pension, Your net pay is £149 which is an acceptable amount to keep receiving ESA.

    ESA can sometimes be difficult to get back on to again once a claim ends as you have to work for a fixed period of time to get enough national insurance again so it may be worthwhile trying to keep it for as long as you can.

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