ESA and Permitted Work?

MyBendySelf

I applied for ESA before Christmas and have just been put into Support Group, to my absolute amazement and joy.

However, before I applied I was self employed running my own business (which I had to dissolve, as I couldn't physically keep it running) so I dabble in freelance commercial modelling/background acting. The work is extremely sporadic and I'm driven to my castings/jobs.

I'm wondering now, how likely is it that they will allow me to use my freelance modelling as my permitted work. I attend castings sporadically and haven't had much paid work (lots of waiting around, reading, sleeping, which is perfect as a paid hobby for me).

I've heard (or read on forums) that just applying for the permitted work forms, means having my benefit cut until after having applied and been decided upon. Is this true? I'm scared to ask for a form to apply for permitted work in case they stop my benefits.

Any advice would be great, thank you.

needing-help

Hi. I am in the support group as well and do permitted work (although mine is supported) I'm not sure what types of work they allow but its worth asking.
I rang and asked for an application form then it took a couple of weeks before I heard it had been approved and my ESA wasn't affected at all.
I'd go for it if you can, I've foynd it tough but i'm hoping I can eventually come off it and hold down a regular job.
Good luck

Xign

I undertake PW in administration. I only do eight hours a week but I find it good just to be able todo something. That's one great thing about ESA.

sja75

Can anyone suggest any ideas for PW in ESA Support Group that is home based and any agencies to apply to, thanks.

rogerblack

sja75 wrote: »

Can anyone suggest any ideas for PW in ESA Support Group that is home based and any agencies to apply to, thanks.

Basically any work that you can do.
Those in the support group vary from quadraplegics to deaf-blind people with normal motion, and beyond.

There isn't any agency that can really cope with the whole range.

Consider if there are any local charities you can get involved with, as one option.
It rather depends on what you can do, and how often you can do it.

PHILANTHROPIST

Xign wrote: »

I undertake PW in administration. I only do eight hours a week but I find it good just to be able todo something. That's one great thing about ESA.

Interesting thread.

A friend of mine works part time for the dreaded DWP contractor, ATOS. In past year she has become a virtual whistleblower. At same time she feels that her employer is rapidly becoming the DWP's # 1 scapegoat, or has agreed to be so in order walk off with £millions of tax payers cash via early termination payments, only to appear in another guise elsewhere. If ATOS were that bad her colleagues recognise that the DWP would sue them for contractual non performance. No word of that happening is there !?

Anyhow, re OP's query. I just had coffee with "my friend", I raised the OP's query and despite confirming that PW is not really ATOS's remit, she offered a caveated health warning. She alleges that some civil servants and/or ATOS staff have been known to troll this forum (some for a laugh!) and other forums (eg Benefits and Work) and anonymously post potentially misleading guidance.

I am not alleging that any MSE members are such alleged trolls, or that any posts are inaccurate re PW, but in my friend's opinion she feels that PW appears in practice and in part to be a cunning fishing and fact finding expedition and/or a bit of a DWP trap. Once a claimant applies, particularly one in Support Group, then the chances of being re-assessed are significantly increased. In fact, it appears they may be kind of targeted merely because they've voluntarily and righteously admitted to a change of circumstance. To date little is happening in this regard as she says there's a massive, well she said ginormous, delay in re-assessing such claimants due to ATOS backlog.

Her "guidance" ... hide .... ESA is currently in total meltdown !

Xign

PHILANTHROPIST wrote: »

Interesting thread.

A friend of mine works part time for the dreaded DWP contractor, ATOS. In past year she has become a virtual whistleblower. At same time she feels that her employer is rapidly becoming the DWP's # 1 scapegoat, or has agreed to be so in order walk off with £millions of tax payers cash via early termination payments, only to appear in another guise elsewhere. If ATOS were that bad her colleagues recognise that the DWP would sue them for contractual non performance. No word of that happening is there !?

Anyhow, re OP's query. I just had coffee with "my friend", i raised OP's query and despite saying PW is not really ATOS's remit, she offered a health warning. She alleges that some civil servants and/or ATOS staff have been known to troll this forum and others (eg Benefits and Work) and anonymously post potentially misleading guidance.

I am not alleging that any MSE member is inaccurate re PW, but in her opinion PW is in part a fishing and fact finding expedition and/or a bit of a trap. Once a claimant applies, particularly one on Support Group, then the chances of being re-assessed are
significantly increased. In fact, it appears they may be kind of targeted, but there's a massive delay in re-assessing them due to ATOS backlog.

Her "guidance" ... hide .... ESA is currently in chaos !

Sounds about right. However, I was already working eight hours when I claimed ESA and was out in the Support Group.

On a side note; and I'm sure you're not, but, if you're trying to imply that maybe I'm some sort of troll trying to post misleading information you are incorrect.

PHILANTHROPIST

Xign wrote: »

Sounds about right. However, I was already working eight hours when I claimed ESA and was out in the Support Group.

On a side note; and I'm sure you're not, but, if you're trying to imply that maybe I'm some sort of troll trying to post misleading information you are incorrect.

.. No Xign ; that's why post was, I hope, politely caveated. And your explanation reaffirms that you are hardly a troll lol

All my friend said was watch out. She is a good sort. Apparently many of the ATOS staff are, and despite the numerous overly trumpeted allegations, are merely doing what they are instructed to do, albeit often with a heavy heart. It's a master and servant relationship. The master of course being the DWP.

Xign

PHILANTHROPIST wrote: »

.. No Xign ; that's why post was, I hope, politely caveated. And your explanation reaffirms that you are hardly a troll lol

All my friend said was watch out. She is a good sort. Apparently many of the ATOS staff are, and despite the numerous overly trumpeted allegations, are merely doing what they are instructed to do, albeit often with a heavy heart. It's a master and servant relationship. The master of course being the DWP.

Good. I was worried I may cause ill feeling. Obviously I don't want that.

And you are so right. ATOS get a bad name. However, in my limited dealings with them I have only encountered good honest people. I think the ESA system causes most of the problems. Not ATOS.