ESA Rapid Reclaim

AlterEgo_4

Hi all,

I get ESA and am in the Support Group. I'm hoping to take some temporary work over Xmas to "ease myself back in" - but what happens if by January I need to go back on the benefit?

Can I make a Rapid Reclaim? What are these?

And would I get the same rate of benefit on the new claim(ie the Support Group component) as I am now? I don't want to lose out!!


Thanks

dmg24

If you feel you are capable of some work, do you not think that the Work Related Activity Group would be more suitable for you? How many hours do you intend to work?

AlterEgo_4

I was placed in the Support Group by the medical assessment, meaning I get Enhanced Disability Premium which tops my benefit up to £110.50/wk. In the Support Group I am not encouraged to take work (no nasty Shaw Trust nonsense), but I WANT to try some work without losing out. The WRA Group would make me poorer, so there's no way I'm going in there.

I'm hoping to work up gradually from maybe 6 hours/week to maybe 20 and see where I can go from there. Fed up of sitting in the house all day.

My question is though, if I can't do the work, or the work stops, will I lose out financially if I make a Rapid Reclaim?

dmg24

So you do feel capable of some work, but you don't want to advise the DWP of that because you'll lose money?

If you make a rapid reclaim this may prompt a review of your claim, as being capable of some work would imply that you should not be in this group.

AlterEgo_4

Not at all - I'd really like to come off the benefit! I don't even FEEL capable of work - just that I'd like to give it a go knowing it may wreak havoc with me. I really have no idea whatsoever how going back to work will affect me.

I understand where you're coming from when you say "being capable of some work" would imply I'm in the wrong group. But "capable of work" with ESA standards relates to hours over 16 hrs/wk. I want to start with baby steps and see how I go.

Perhaps I should re-word the question: When/if I make a Rapid Reclaim, would I automatically go back to the Support Group (assuming they didn't review my claim)?

Two4Tuesday

If you come off ESA to try out a job or training you may be able to reclaim ESA under special linking rules. These allow you to receive ESA without any 'waiting period', and at the same rate and on the same terms as before, and you do not have to re-serve the 13 weeks assessment phase.

Twelve-week linking rule
Any two periods of limited capacity for work that are separated by no more than 12 weeks are treated as a single period. If you are off sick or leave a job within 12 weeks of a previous ESA award you will go back onto your ESA at the same rate and terms as before.

Hundred and four-week linking rule
If you were receiving ESA for over 13 weeks then came off ESA to begin work or training there is a two year linking rule. If that work or training stops for any reason within two years you can reclaim ESA at the same rate and on the same terms as before.

If you are in the Support Group it means that you have been determined to have Limited Capability for Work Related Activity, not necessarily Zero capability for work related activity.

I am in the same situation - also in the Support Group and looking for suitable work.

AlterEgo_4

Thank you for such a helpful post - exactly what I was looking for.

So in plain English, if I had to quit work after less than twelve weeks I could reclaim at the same rate? That's how I read it.

Two4Tuesday

Indeed that is the case. I was able to get a temporary job in August that lasted 7 weeks before I went straight back onto the ESA support Group.

AlterEgo_4

Ok - thanks a lot. Nice to hear from some other people in the Support Group - doesn't seem as though there are very many of us!

stargazer59

Hi dont know if it is any use to you but i am in the WRAG group and my adviser told me about Permitted Work, not sure if its the same in the Support Group but may be useful for you to find out about?

bertiebat

As the above post, I just wondering whether you knew about the permitted work scheme. This might be an initial alternative to ease you back in without having to reapply if you found work too detrimental to your health. Good luck and hope that getting back to work is successful.

Extract from the directgov site: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/FinancialSupport/esa/DG_171909

About Permitted Work

Generally, you are not allowed to work while you are getting Employment and Support Allowance because of an illness or disability.
You may be able to do some types of work and within certain limits. This is called 'Permitted Work' and it allows you to test your own capacity for doing some work and perhaps gain new skills.
Although you do not need permission to do Permitted Work, you must check that the work you want to do is allowed under the Permitted Work rules. You should discuss this with your personal adviser.
You do not need approval from your doctor or have to have a medical assessment just because you are doing Permitted Work. If a medical assessment is due as part of your ongoing benefits-related review, it will go ahead as planned.
Permitted Work is a benefit arrangement - employers do not offer 'permitted work'.

The Permitted Work rules

Under the Permitted Work rules you can:

• work for less than 16 hours a week on average, with earnings up to £95.00 a week for 52 weeks
• work for less than 16 hours a week, on average, with earnings up to £95.00 a week if you are in the Support Group of the main phase of Employment and Support Allowance
• work and earn up to £20 a week, at any time, for as long as you are receiving Employment and Support Allowance
• do Supported Permitted Work and earn up to £95.00 a week for as long as you are receiving Employment and Support Allowance, provided you continue to satisfy the Supported Permitted Work criteria

Supported Permitted Work means work that is supervised by someone who is employed by a public or local authority or a voluntary organisation, and whose job it is to arrange work for disabled people. This could be work done in the community or in a sheltered workshop. It also includes work as part of a hospital treatment programme.