ESA Permitted work advice

mpr87

Hi, I'm just looking for a bit of guidance.

I won't go too much into my medical history but after spending about 4 months in hospital after an assault and being left with various things on my stomach I started receiving ESA. after about a year and a half I decided I wanted to try and go back to work part time. (up until this point I'd always worked).

I've been working 12-16 hours a week in a call centre at weekends since january under the permitted work rules. I'm just a bit confused about the rules. Do I have to stop my permitted work alltogether after 52 weeks and pretty much quit my job to continue receiving ESA? Or can I tell them I want to continue work and have my esa cancelled?

Going back to work has been really good for me mentally and whilst finincially I'm better off sticking to esa from a well being point of view I wouldn't want to leave work. If it comes down to it could I just make the choice to have my ESA stopped so that I can try and continue working or would I need to go through some sort of medical to be passed fit for work? Also what would happen if I started having serious issues again and ended up back in hospital and needed to leave work again? I got "let go" after my last stint in hospital. I'm waiting to have atleast one more operation with other on going issue's but I'm in a position where I'm managing 12 hours a week and would rather try and give work a go rather than being stuck on esa as I feel like I'm stuck in a bit of a rut at the moment.

sorry forgot to add I am in the support group.

rogerblack

mpr87 wrote: »

Hi, I'm just looking for a bit of guidance.

I won't go too much into my medical history but after spending about 4 months in hospital after an assault and being left with various things on my stomach I started receiving ESA. after about a year and a half I decided I wanted to try and go back to work part time. (up until this point I'd always worked).

I've been working 12-16 hours a week in a call centre at weekends since january under the permitted work rules.
<snip>

sorry forgot to add I am in the support group.

If you are in the support group, the 1 year max on permitted work higher level does not apply.
(Up to £99.50/week to rise in october)

mpr87

ahh well thanks for clearing that up. I guess that's a bit of a relief.

Ultimately I want to try working full time as I hate being stuck at home so much even though I'm having problems. When that day comes do I just tell them I want to close my claim?

rogerblack

mpr87 wrote: »

ahh well thanks for clearing that up. I guess that's a bit of a relief.

Ultimately I want to try working full time as I hate being stuck at home so much even though I'm having problems. When that day comes do I just tell them I want to close my claim?

Basically, yes.
You may also be entitled to working tax credit on the grounds of disability at a lower hours than normal, as well as - if you start work in the next few weeks - return to work credit.
https://www.gov.uk/return-to-work-credit/overview