ESA and working part-time?

Hello,

I am 25 years old and work part-time in a supermarket (12 hours per week or so). I am diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome and ADHD, plus depression and anxiety. This impairs my ability to communicate and socialise, and my memory, concentration, etc. I currently receive DLA for the care my parents provide for me.

While I can usually manage 12 hours, I don't feel like I could cope with working much more or even full-time. Working with people (customers and co-workers) is mentally/emotionally draining and I'm usually really fatigued at the end of my shift, which can sometimes trigger my depression. It usually takes a day or two to fully recover. I try to work because it forces me to be around people for a little while, so I'm not completely isolated. I don't usually go out to socialise much at all, except maybe once in a blue moon to the cinema or to my NAS support group.

I was wondering if it would be worth applying for ESA? Or will they think if I can work 12 hours, then I can work full stop?

I know there is "permitted work" up to 16 hours/£95 per week, but is this any work, or some special Job Centre approved work?

I did an online test and apparantly I scored 36, but that may be a bit much as I'm not sure I interpreted the questions properly. I've read a few guides though.

The descriptors that I thought may apply to me are :-

11. Learning tasks

12. Awareness of everyday hazards (such as boiling water or sharp objects).

Initiating and completing personal action (which means planning, organisation, problem solving, prioritising or switching tasks).

14. Coping with change

15. Getting about

16. Coping with social engagement due to cognitive impairment or mental disorder

17. Appropriateness of behaviour with other people, due to cognitive impairment or mental disorder

If I'm not entitled to this, would there be any other benefits to help raise my income?
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Comments

  • MrsManda
    MrsManda Posts: 4,457 Forumite
    I don't think you'd be able to claim ESA as you are working though I don't know that for certain. You may be able to claim income support
    http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/FinancialSupport/Introductiontofinancialsupport/DG_10020535

    If you put your details into the turn2us calculator it'll give you an idea of what you may be able to claim.
    http://www.turn2us.org.uk/benefits_search.aspx
  • jr1985
    jr1985 Posts: 84 Forumite
    Thanks for the response!

    I tried the test and it said I might be entitled to income support. However, if I am claiming on grounds of disability, won't they tell me to apply for ESA?

    It says it's for people who aren't on JSA/ESA, would this include me if I can work, but only a limited number of hours?
  • sunnyone
    sunnyone Posts: 4,716
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    jr1985 wrote: »
    Thanks for the response!

    I tried the test and it said I might be entitled to income support. However, if I am claiming on grounds of disability, won't they tell me to apply for ESA?

    It says it's for people who aren't on JSA/ESA, would this include me if I can work, but only a limited number of hours?

    That was repealled last year.
  • jr1985
    jr1985 Posts: 84 Forumite
    sunnyone wrote: »
    That was repealled last year.
    Can you explain what you mean? This whole benefits thing is nearly impossible to get my head around.
  • jr1985
    jr1985 Posts: 84 Forumite
    Interestingly, I found this communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/10/13/112819/People-with-autism-the-struggle-to-gain-benefits-and-find.htm

    ase study PETER GRIFFIN: Astrophysicist and supermarket worker
    'When you get ESA, they throw roadblocks at you"
    eter Griffin, 29, has an IQ of 159 and a degree in astrophysics. He also has Asperger's syndrome and works in a supermarket one day a week. He cannot cope with more. "I can barely manage it because presenting as normal for a long time is draining, but having nothing at all in my week would be worse," he says.
    His ideal job is to teach maths to A-level students and those in further education. "I think it's achievable if he's given the right amount of support," says his mother, Ann.
    Meanwhile, Griffin is on ESA, but found the process of applying "problematic".
  • McKneff
    McKneff Posts: 38,816
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    I thought you couldnt get income support if you lived with your parents.

    What income do you have altogether.
    make the most of it, we are only here for the weekend.
    and we will never, ever return.
  • sunnyone
    sunnyone Posts: 4,716
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    McKneff wrote: »
    I thought you couldnt get income support if you lived with your parents.

    What income do you have altogether.

    Wrong, it depend on the individual/their partners cercumstances and not anyone else in the household.
  • jr1985
    jr1985 Posts: 84 Forumite
    McKneff wrote: »
    I thought you couldnt get income support if you lived with your parents.

    What income do you have altogether.
    Well the form just mentions partners it seems. Although, I think it did mention household savings/income, but maybe that includes parents?

    The reason I was looking into this in the first place was because I was considering renting my own house. I thought being more independent would be good for me. Although I'd probably be entitled to housing benefit, I don't know if I could afford to live alone on my small income.
  • McKneff
    McKneff Posts: 38,816
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    Sorry, I thaought that IS is calculated on household income, which would include his parent income, after all living with parents would only invollve actual living costs as bed and board.
    make the most of it, we are only here for the weekend.
    and we will never, ever return.
  • jr1985
    jr1985 Posts: 84 Forumite
    Ok, I rang the Social Security Office (in Northern Ireland) - they said I wouldn't be entitled to IS as I'm not a lone parent, claiming IB, etc.

    The guy said I could try for JSA, and when I said won't they expect me to look for full time work, he said well technically, but they probably wouldn't say anything (isn't this fraud?).
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