coming off esa

liverpool34

im looking to start looking for a job, im currently on esa cb, how do i go about telling them,is it stopped straight away, and say im only 3 days away from my esa payment,will i get whats owing to me as i believe its paid in arrears

thanks in advance

Two4Tuesday

You're allowed to look for a job whilst claiming ESA, so long as you still meet the descriptors that entitled you to the benefit.

If you have recovered and want to stop claiming ESA, then you can switch to JSA instead. Call the Benefit Delivery Centre (BDC) - the number should be on the top of your ESA letters and let them know the reason that you're stopping your claim. If you want to claim JSA, make arrangements to do so straight away.

You should still get the arrears of ESA benefit paid to you up to the day you stop your claim.

liverpool34

what if i get offered a job,when shall i tell them,
thanks

Two4Tuesday

If you get offered a job, call them a few days before you are due to start your job and tell them that you are closing your ESA claim because you are starting employment, and tell them the date that the employment starts.

zzzLazyDaisy

Since you are looking for work, I presume that you are receiving ESA/WRAG?

In which case you should have a personal adviser whose job it is to help you look for suitable work, which may include sending you on a training course. Since you do wish to look for work, you should contact your adviser who should be able to help answer and questions you have about the transition from benefits to work.

rogerblack

zzzLazyDaisy wrote: »

S
In which case you should have a personal adviser whose job it is to help you look for suitable work

Hah!
(I'm currently on the work program - I'm not actually sure who the provider is - I've had one call that lasted 3 minutes)

To the OP:
Firstly - is the work under 16 hours of minimum wage.
If so - you may be able to do it as 'permitted work' while remaining on ESA.
Also see https://www.gov.uk/return-to-work-credit - you may be entitled to return to work credit, to help with the short-term expenses of getting into work.