claiming ESA while back in work, help please!

biggsy147

Hi, I have recently been off sick from work for a while, i have a life long disability and am on a list to have an operation. It appears that i have used up all of the SSP for the year and am now currently not being paid at all for sick days. I am back into work as of today but have noticed i have been paid 300 pounds less in this month pay because of this reason. Is there any way to claim any money back through ESA or would it be something completely different? I have looked on their website but it mostly says it is for people who are still off work but in my case i am back in work now but need to look into the possibility of back dating a claim. Any help would be great!

Thanks.

DomRavioli

In a word, no.

You are now fit for work, you can only claim a benefit at the time you are incapacitated and unable to work; not retrospectively.

pmlindyloo

DomRavioli wrote: »

In a word, no.

You are now fit for work, you can only claim a benefit at the time you are incapacitated and unable to work; not retrospectively.

ESA can be backdated for up to 3 months without giving a reason.

Getting Employment and Support Allowance backdated

If you were entitled to Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) before you made your claim, you may be able to get it for an earlier period. This is called backdating. ESA can be backdated for up to three months before the date of your claim, and you do not have to give a reason for your late claim. You should explain when you make your claim that you want to claim backdated benefit and give the date you became entitled to ESA. (CAB website)

And it is for people who can not claim SSP.

I do not know whether you can claim now but you can try! Give them a ring and see what they say. You will need evidence of being unfit for work (doctor's fit note)

If they say 'no' because you are back in work then at least you will know the procedure if you have to claim again.

biggsy147

ok thanks for the reply i will call my payroll department to check when my ssp ended then call esa and put in a claim!

Thanks

rogerblack

While it is true you can claim ESA backdated, you need a doctors note that is backdated to do this.
If the doctor has not seen you during this period, they may not be willing to do this.

lukieboy96

You can work if on ESA, doing permitted work. I think it is under 16 hours