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Benefits and TRYING to go back to work

Doc87Doc87 Member Posts: 5 Listener
edited July 20 in What benefits am I entitled to?
Hi all 🙂

I'm looking for some help and advice.

I got diagnosed with ME/CFS 9yrs ago & recently I've been considering trying to see if I'm capable of doing some form of work.

I'm currently receiving ESA (support group), PIP (high care), housing benefit and council tax.

I have had to fight so hard for my benefits since day dot and it worries me speaking to DWP with my thoughts that I could suddenly lose my benefits.

Has anyone been in this situation before? If so, what happened?

I live by myself and it worries me that I could end up loosing my home because my benefits get taken away.

Would I be moved over from ESA support group to the WRAG. Or universal credits? Would I have to make a new claim for UC and then I'd lose the legacy benefits side.

I understand I wouldn't be able to do more than 16hrs within permitted & I know I certainly would be lucky if I could manage 16hrs a week. I don't even know if I could sustain a job, but I really want to try.

Any help, advice or previous experience would be greatly appreciated
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Replies

  • woodbinewoodbine Community Co-Production Group Posts: 5,058 Disability Gamechanger
    @doc87 hi and welcome to scope on another hot sunny day.
    Have you considered doing some form of voluntary work to see how you get on without making a massive commitment?
    I will now only offer benefits advice on PIP, and specific benefits advice for other people with Epilepsy. 
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  • Doc87Doc87 Member Posts: 5 Listener
    Hey 🙂 thanks for your response.

    I did consider this but I understood I would still need to be in a different group/ benefit which would still pose the same questions as above???
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  • woodbinewoodbine Community Co-Production Group Posts: 5,058 Disability Gamechanger
    Some more info here >

    https://www.gov.uk/guidance/volunteering-and-claiming-benefits
    I will now only offer benefits advice on PIP, and specific benefits advice for other people with Epilepsy. 
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  • Doc87Doc87 Member Posts: 5 Listener
    Thanks for that woodbine. But from what I can see it doesn't answer what I'm looking to know when it comes to the fact I'm in the support group.

    I'm really keen to know more on the situation when it comes to trying to get back into work and the above. Many thanks
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  • janer1967janer1967 Member Posts: 12,048 Disability Gamechanger
    Hu there 

    If in support group you are allowed to work up to 16 hours like you quote this is permitted work 

    It will not affect your esa or support group 

    You will have to inform dwp if you start work and the work must not contradict the reason you are in support group 

    It could prompt a reassessment 

    But you don't need to move to uc or be put in a different group unless a reassessment puts you in another group 
    Here to help with my experience in hunan resources and employment rights 
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  • calcotticalcotti Member Posts: 2,713 Disability Gamechanger
    The whole point of the permitted work rules is to allow you to try work, or do limited work, without losing benefit.

    Provided you do not exceed the permitted work limits you will remain in the Support Group until such time as you are reassessed and a different decision made about your status. If the type of work you undertake contradicts the reasons you are in the Support Group that might prompt a reassessment.
    Information I post is for England unless otherwise stated. Rules may be different in other parts of UK.
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  • Doc87Doc87 Member Posts: 5 Listener
    Thanks for your replies folks, really appreciate it.

    I understood that you couldn't do any kind of paid work whilst you were getting ESA support group. So that's interesting to know.

    So would this mean I could still receive what I currently get in benefits as well what I earn?

    Sorry if I'm coming across thick, but I am so scared that trying to get my life back to some kind of normal and taking the first step could lead to me not affording my home. As I said, I haven't worked for 9yrs now and I really would like to try
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  • janer1967janer1967 Member Posts: 12,048 Disability Gamechanger
    Yes you will still get your benefits as you do now and be able to earn from work as long as you don't exceed the limits of permitted work 
    Here to help with my experience in hunan resources and employment rights 
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  • Doc87Doc87 Member Posts: 5 Listener
    So am I best speaking to DWP & explaining I want to try and do permitted work before I find a job? Or after I've found one?
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  • calcotticalcotti Member Posts: 2,713 Disability Gamechanger
    As explained in the rules, when you find work you should inform them before you start
    https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/employment-and-support-allowance-permitted-work-form/permitted-work-factsheet
    Information I post is for England unless otherwise stated. Rules may be different in other parts of UK.
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