ESA permitted work and PW1 form

mikey_bach

zippy1969 wrote: »

Hi.

Just phoned DWP three-times and spoke with three different advisors. My god, talk about making life difficult and not knowing much about their own regulations.

- One advisor told me that the 52-week rule applies to support group as well as the WRAG, another said it only applied to WRAG.

- The first advisor told me that the claimant has to start the work before letting DWP know. However, I said that my friend needed the work authorised by DWP prior to starting. She said they couldn't do that...then changed her mind when I said that this seemed unfair as if the work starts then is not authorised by DWP that could cause my friend all sorts of anxiety.

- One told me that permitted work earnings are deductable from Housing and Council Tax benefit, another said they're disregarded.

- One advisor was just about to take my friends details from me to send out a PW1 form but then cut me off. The next advisor said that my friend has to speak to DWP personally to request the form.

So...I'm alot more confused than before I started!

Contacting the DWP never inspires much confidence in the way they operate.

I found this 'sample' of the PW1 form:

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/128480/response/317533/attach/3/PW1%20ESA%201011%20For%20Information.pdf

The contradiction of this form is that it's titled "Telling us about paid work you WANT to do" but then goes on to ask such questions as "when will you get your first payment?" If it's work you WANT to do, but haven't started due to awaiting a DWP decision...how can you give an answer to this?

The fifty two week rule doesn't apply to the Support Group.
Here is the form,

http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100528142817/http://dwp.gov.uk/docs/plp-form-pw1-esa.pdf

I have seen people start the work, phone up and get the form and then return it with the details most phone up and return the form before starting, the later I think is best
I have done some work processing ESA there doesnt seem a problem accepting it unless it doesn't fit the rules. eg over 16 hours