Anyone here on ESA and doing permitted work?
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bluenun
Posts: 483 Forumite
Hello,
I am on ESA, have been volunteering 1 day a week and next year would like to get some permitted work. So I would like to apply for a job and work either 8 or 16 hours a week.
I was given a PW1ESA form at the job centre and read it when I got home.
There is a questionnaire that needs to be filled in and posted to the address on top of my letters. Not to the local job centre plus.
I worry about doing that because in my experience when I used to post my medical certificates they were never scanned in by them.
I had to keep chasing them and they were usually found sitting on a desk.
I can see this causing me a lot of stress and at a later date being called to see a compliance officer if the paperwork I send in gets lost.
Ultimately I would like to get work and sign off because I feel that's what they really want.
I would be grateful to hear of the experiences of those that have done or do permitted work.
Do you need to send in the form/questionnaire every week?
I am on ESA, have been volunteering 1 day a week and next year would like to get some permitted work. So I would like to apply for a job and work either 8 or 16 hours a week.
I was given a PW1ESA form at the job centre and read it when I got home.
There is a questionnaire that needs to be filled in and posted to the address on top of my letters. Not to the local job centre plus.
I worry about doing that because in my experience when I used to post my medical certificates they were never scanned in by them.
I had to keep chasing them and they were usually found sitting on a desk.
I can see this causing me a lot of stress and at a later date being called to see a compliance officer if the paperwork I send in gets lost.
Ultimately I would like to get work and sign off because I feel that's what they really want.
I would be grateful to hear of the experiences of those that have done or do permitted work.
Do you need to send in the form/questionnaire every week?
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Comments
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If you're concerned about posting the completed form you can phone and make an appointment to take it into your local Job Centre. Dpn't just turn up there as most won't see you on a walk-in basis.0
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That is my main concern yes.
On the form I was given yesterday is has in bold type,
"Please don't take this questionnaire into your job centre plus office.
Post it to the address on top of any ESA letter we have sent you."
Also wondered if the form/questionnaire needed to be sent in every week?0 -
Make a copy before sending, and send recorded/tracked. Keep notes on when you send.
I understand your anxiety over this, the whole permitted work thing is a mine field.0 -
In general, sending a letter recorded/tracked is a waste of money. All it proves is that it was received at one of the central sorting locations, not that it has got through to the processing office.0
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the cost is a pittance, and the hassle it can save is invaluable.
You only need to prove you sent it, not that they opened and read it.0 -
You only need to prove you sent it, not that they opened and read it.
There is little or no value in being about to prove that you sent the form back if it doesn't get to where it is to be processed. I accept that there might be a useful purpose if it is a document which has to be returned by a specific date, but otherwise???0 -
To answer the other question, no it does not need to be sent in every week, just once before you start.
You should in fact get an acknowledgement from the DWP which will also indicate whether they are accepting the work as permitted work.0 -
the cost is a pittance, and the hassle it can save is invaluable.
You only need to prove you sent it, not that they opened and read it.
A proof of posting certificate is free and does what you describe.
Recorded Delivery is £1.10 in addition to normal postage (which should be covered by the prepaid envelope). For many on benefits that is not a pittance. You shouldn't be so presumptuous about someone else's financial situation.0 -
the cost is a pittance, and the hassle it can save is invaluable.
You only need to prove you sent it, not that they opened and read it.
I agree with you, getting a signature at destination is the key thing which special delivery provides. Recorded delivery sometimes doesn't provide that as it goes with normal post. Certificate of posting is free but that doesn't prove it got to destination.
I also send mine by special delivery.0 -
Thank-you all for the replies.
It is a worry.
So it is just sent in once at the beginning of the hopeful job I may be able to get. Then I make a copy, post the original to where it is supposed to go, hope they get it and hope they accept it as permitted work.
I think for £1.10 I would post it recorded delivery, scan and print the envelope too.
I suppose if they decide the work is not permitted then I would have to pay back any earnings or the benefit I had received.
My ultimate goal is to get off ESA completely, my mental health is worse and I feel much more stressed than when I was living off my savings until they dropped below 6k.0
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