ESA advise please

ragdoll24

I have been on ESA for just over 40wks now due to a breakdown, I still have not been assessed as to whether I will go into the working group or support group.

I am really struggling to make ends meet as I am on my own with 3 small children and although my Dr is not agreeable to me going back to work just yet I have been looking at a part time job which is for 15hrs a week and pays £94.65 a week (minimum wage).

According to the ESA page it says you can work and earn upto £99 a week and still get ESA for 52wks?

Is this correct? So if I got a job paying £94 a week will I still get my £71 a week ESA or does that not work because I have not yet been assessed to go into the working or support group?

Im really not sure what to do?

Neelienew

You would need to have been assessed and be in the support group.

ragdoll24

So I guess if I get offered this part time job I will loose my ESA altogether? Seems a bit unfair as they state that after 13wks on ESA you get assessed into either of those groups, I have been on it for 40wks now but they keep telling me they are running behind and cant even give me a date for the assessment. My Dr and Mental Health worker both support me in my ESA and are not happy about me going back to work, but I have no choice as I am at stage where I am not able to pay my rent.

vintagebrighton

Have you looked into other benefits? What about housing and council tax benefit? You'd be assessed on your current ESA income which at least would mean you could pay the rent. Do you get child tax credit? At least see if you can get some benefit advice to make sure you have claimed all you're entitled to. If you work and you're not ready you could crash and burn. HTH

pmlindyloo

Neelienew wrote: »

You would need to have been assessed and be in the support group.

Not true!


See here:


https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/eligibility


You can do permitted work as long as it is for less than 16 hours a week and does not exceed the quoted figure.


You will need to complete a form and let your advisor know.


Have you telephoned about your claim and found out at what stage it is?

ragdoll24

Thank you for your kind replies.

Yes I do get housing and council tax benefit, but because of the area I live in (complicated story) although I get full housing benefit for a 3bed house (I have 3 children) it does not cover my rent and I have to find a further £200 a month towards my rent. I also get child tax credits. But after I have paid my rent and basic household bills I am left with £80 a week to feed 3 kids, clothe them, hair cuts and all other incidental items and im finding it impossible to do this. Yes I have cut back on everything, no TV package anymore, changed my food shop to buying basic items which in itself has caused health problem with my youngest two as they have broken out in a skin allergy which my Dr has said is becasue I am buying cheap branded foods which are high in salt and sugars and cheap washing powders which all contribute towards allergies.

I rang ESA again today and all they could say is there is a backlog, I have now been on it for over 40wks, still waiting on the so called 13wk assessment.

Im not a scrounger and this is the first time in my life I have ever claimed benefits and its all due to the domestic violence/abuse my estranged husband put me through and left me financially bankrupt and I lost my house and possessions hence the reason why I am now in rented accomodation. My estranged husband does not pay a penny towards his 3 children but I still allow him access, he gets away with this by telling CSA that he is living off his girlfriend, but this is a lie as he is doing self employed plumbing work and earning around £600 a week (I know this becasue my husband has made many enemies including drug dealers and I have been sent through information in the post showing him working and also emails between him and his clients showing payments they are making him).

I have so much on my plate, Im trying to recover from my breakdown, I also lost loads of weight so Im being treated for weight loss as I went down to under 7 stone, and I am now struggling financially and am 1 month behind with my rent and being threatened eviction. Going up to the higher rate on ESA would have been a life saver as that little bit extra a week would make a massive difference to me and the children. It was heartbreaking the other day when I had to sit and explain to a 6yr old, 8yr old and 12yr old that I am unable to provide them with any presents for xmas this year.

ragdoll24

pmlindyloo - thank you for your message, so if I am offered that small part time job which is 15hrs a week and on min wage so will pay £94 a week will I still get the £75 ESA?

ragdoll24

Pmlindyloo - I have just rang ESA back and you are right! If I am lucky enough to get this part time job not only will I get paid £94 a week from work but they will still give me the £75 ESA which is fantastic as that will mean I will be able to try and recover and pay pay the one months arrears I am in on my rent. So fingers crossed with my job interview today.

Thank you so much for this advise and putting my mind at rest, you have really helped me. :-)

epitome

You need to ask for an PW1 form. earn under £101 per week and less than 16 hours a week, you keep your wages and your ESA which should be £71.70

ragdoll24

Well at last after 7yrs of hell something good happened today. I went for that part time job and I got it!!! I have rang ESA and asked for a PW1 form so I can declare it as its under 16hrs and under £99 a week.

It now means I will be able to meet my rent payments and support my children.

Next step is to send a letter of complaint to CSA about my ex working cash in hand to avoid supporting his children. Dont think I will get anywhere put I do have some proof of him working so will see what happens. Must head over to the CSA forum to see if anyone else has had any luck in this.

Thank you all once again for your kind replies. :-)