Permitted to work

Beckster99

Can anyone tell me what this is. I am getting Esa at moment but have been offered a little job (not sure if I will be able to do it or not) working for 5 hours every other Saturday. When I rang Dwp they said I could do permitted to work without it affecting my esa but not sure this correct or not. Anybody any idea

rogerblack

Beckster99 wrote: »

Can anyone tell me what this is. I am getting Esa at moment but have been offered a little job (not sure if I will be able to do it or not) working for 5 hours every other Saturday. When I rang Dwp they said I could do permitted to work without it affecting my esa but not sure this correct or not. Anybody any idea

Yes, you can do permitted work under ESA.
You need to get them to send you the appropriate form first.

GlynD

It depends which ESA you're on whether or not your income from the job will affect it. If it's contribution based then no but if it's income based then definitely yes. Every penny you earn will be deducted from your ESA and if you exceed the threshold for your circumstances you will lose the benefit altogether.

Beckster99

I'm on contribution based esa and will probably earn about £28 a week if I take the job

GlynD

Beckster99 wrote: »

I'm on contribution based esa and will probably earn about £28 a week if I take the job

As long as your contributions last then you will lose nothing. As far as I know from my own experience. As soon as you go onto income based though you will probably lose the full £28 per week.

Beckster99

Thank you for that I was worried if I took this job I would lose my esa all for the sake of £28 which would mean I would be worse off and not worth trying getting back to work. I am hoping that it will gradually help me start to get better and gradually see me eventually get back to work properly and then eventually be off benefits all together

rogerblack

Beckster99 wrote: »

Thank you for that I was worried if I took this job I would lose my esa all for the sake of £28 which would mean I would be worse off and not worth trying getting back to work. I am hoping that it will gradually help me start to get better and gradually see me eventually get back to work properly and then eventually be off benefits all together

This is not correct.
Even under income-based ESA, permitted work does not count as income.
Other income will, especially partners.
https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/eligibility

Horseunderwater

There are 2 levels of permitted work - one is for £20 (lower earnings limit) and the other is for £99.50 per week - which is the equivilant of 16 hours at min wage. They are both ignored for Income related or contributions ESA - so long as the DWP knows about it.
If you are in the WRAG type and on contributions, then you are permitted to work up to 52 weeks only, but that does not apply if you are on income related ESA as that can go on for a longer time limit. Also if on ESA in support of either C or IR you can work as long as you are able/claiming it, if you feel you want to. At least under the current guidelines. Universal credit will be a different kettle of fish altogether.