ESA question

JandX

I would like some advice on ESA. I have been in the support group for two years and my medical issue is highly unlikely to ever go away. However, I would really like to get back to work despite this problem. My background is in teaching and a position has come up which I think I might like to go for. But the job doesn't start until September 2013 and if offered the job I would have to sign the contract immediately.

My problem is what to do with the ESA. It would be another ten months before I started working and even then I would still have my medical problem. So, if offered the job, do I inform ESA? I cannot afford for them to stop my payments for the next 10 months as I would have no income but I also don't want to commit benefit fraud.

Therefore, if they stopped my ESA, I cannot apply for this job as I could not afford to live. Does anybody know how signing up to work in ten months time would affect my benefit now? Please can you give me the legal view rather than a personal view of I would not tell them?

rogerblack

You can seek work while on ESA.
You are only prevented from claiming ESA if you actually begin work.

In some cases (earnings under 95/week after allowances) you may be permitted to do it under 'permitted work', and keep ESA.
If you move from ESA straight into work, you may be able to claim back to work benefits in addition.

olias

In other words, don't inform them until you are actually due to start work - say the week before. At that time inquire about permitted work, and any back to work benefits (though by all means research them first prior to that)

Olias

abudabi

don't know technically you are commiting fraud now as the stipulation is that being in the support group they are of the opinion you cannot work?
I know it says you yourself can volunteer to see an advisor about geting into work regardless of their decision but i haven't yet heard of anyone who has done this,
if you signed a contract then you would be obliged to take the work straightaway and not claim for another ten months? maybe i am wrong in this ?

Brassedoff

If you are able to consider taking this job as it "suits you", why not sign off the ESA you are claiming and take some supply work? Surely one days supply work is more well paid than a week on ESA?