ESA Permitted Work

Lyradog

My husband has tutored in the past and marked exams . The tutoring is steady all year round esp via tutoring agencies . Examining and moderating doesn't pay as well as it used to and is mainly done online . Good luck with ESA process

ChemPixie

My partner works 50hours a week and earns £26000. He is self-employed. He has to work as much to pay our mortgage and bills now I'm too sick to work...can't help but feel the system is penalising our good work ethic. I have worked hard all my life and losing my job is definitely not a conscious decision!
I have a 2:1 chemistry degree with masters and have worked as an "outstanding" science teacher since sept 2012 (teaching all sciences at GCSE and chemistry at A-Level).

Thank you for your suggestions so far. I've given a brief outline of my illness/disability below. Can you let me know what esa group you think I'd be placed into and/or other job suggestions.

I suffer from pain and fatigue from my RA, which is exacerbated by repeat active tasks. I have limited mobility due to pain in my hips...I struggle to climb stairs or walk any significant distance. The involvement if my lungs now means that I'm short of breath, especially on exertion and am constantly fatigued. I need 10-12hours sleep each day in order to function reasonably well.

Thanks again

pmlindyloo

ChemPixie wrote: »

My partner works 50hours a week and earns £26000. He is self-employed. He has to work as much to pay our mortgage and bills now I'm too sick to work...can't help but feel the system is penalising our good work ethic. I have worked hard all my life and losing my job is definitely not a conscious decision!
I have a 2:1 chemistry degree with masters and have worked as an "outstanding" science teacher since sept 2012 (teaching all sciences at GCSE and chemistry at A-Level).

Thank you for your suggestions so far. I've given a brief outline of my illness/disability below. Can you let me know what esa group you think I'd be placed into and/or other job suggestions.

I suffer from pain and fatigue from my RA, which is exacerbated by repeat active tasks. I have limited mobility due to pain in my hips...I struggle to climb stairs or walk any significant distance. The involvement if my lungs now means that I'm short of breath, especially on exertion and am constantly fatigued. I need 10-12hours sleep each day in order to function reasonably well.

Thanks again

To be honest applying for ESA can be tricky and I suggest that when you receive the form you get some help from CAB of a welfare advisor to complete it.

You are scored points on the 'descriptors' so have a read of them (in the link I gave you)

From your description you may want to consider applying for Personal Independence Payment. (not means tested)

As regards tax credits I think you may be over the income limit (you haven't mentioned children so presume a couple)

See here:

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/leaflets/wtc2.pdf

DomRavioli

Hi OP,

Have you also considered applying for PIP (what used to be DLA) if you don't already get it?

It is not means tested so you can work and earn a wage whilst still getting the amount. Have a look on the gov.uk pages, but RA is usually a condition which may possibly entitle you to it (it is based on care and mobility needs rather than a diagnosis).

dibdabable

Just wanted to add that I too am sorry about your ill health, but you sound very positive so that's good, I became ill at a young age and had to give a job I loved and it can take some adjusting to. Applying for ill health benefits can be tricky. It is really about the way your illness affects you rather than what your illness is. It is also about certain factors, what you can do repeatedly safely and in a timely manner. So as you've said you can do certains things but you say you get fatigued when having to repeat actions. It is really important that you use that to decide what you can do. If for most of the time e.g for more than half the time you can't perform these actions or descriptors as they are called, it should be considered you are unable to do them.

I think people have varied success with CAB and as an intellligent woman, I'm quite sure you can do your own research about form filling which will mean you're not having to spend time away from home which you may find exerting. This is an amazing site which has helped many people.

http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/employment-and-support-allowance/start-the-esa-test

Remember when answering to keep in mind if you can repeat the actions and if not why, making you breathless, pain etc.

There are lots of sites with advice about form filling and it's really worth taking the time over this and getting it right, often people just assume that because they have a diagnosis that will mean they'll automatically get the Benefit, but you have to prove to them what your unable to do because of your condition.
I would apply for ESA and PIP,given your problems, wish you all the best with that and your future.

Leedash

I was told two years in the wrag

ChemPixie

Thank you for your support and advice.
I already receive DLA, higher rate mobility and care. I've worked so hard to continue to work despite my illness and disability. However, I believe that pushing myself too hard has resulted in my illness deteriorating. Hopefully I'll find some work so I don't need to claim ESA but I need to make sure my health is always my main focus.

Thanks again for all your support and advice

HB58

LEEDASH wrote: »

I was told two years in the wrag

ESA is actually an indefinite award, it can be reassessed at any stage from 3 months after the initial decision. The longest period before reassessment for someone in WRAG is 2 years*. If on contributary ESA, this is limited to 365 days and payment will cease at that time unless the claimant is also entitled to income-related ESA. Once payment has stopped, NI credits will continue to be made on the claimant's behalf but payment will only restart if the claimant is allocated to the Support Group as the result of a future reassessment.

* although reassessments are currently being delayed due to backlog of work.