Permitted Work ..DWP decision maker advice?

passatrider

I'm currently on ESA support group along with PIP higher rate. Both these are paid for help with an anxiety disorder/personality disorder.
I'm thinking about doing some permitted work, or at least contemplating it with extreme caution. I'm aware of the rules/earnings etc. The problem is I'm afraid to try anything as I fear the DWP will see it as a red flag and stop my benefits or even send me for an assessment again.

Is there a DWP representative who can advise me if this is likely or not to trigger a rethink of my situation? Maybe you have done permitted work and later been penalised for trying it by having your benefits removed or a medical assessment initiated?

Any help would be appreciated :T

densol_2

Im in the same boat ! I want to help out at the local food bank as a volunteer. They know my problems associating with people so I can help with admin without meeting people. Im still scared to rock the boat as I had 2015/2016 full of medical reviews ( PIP, ESA, IIDB and injury benefit with ex employer ) and I dont have the energy for more as they cause serious self harm.

I would be interested in replies

PHILANTHROPIST

Yes, you are right to be skeptical.

Sadly, the DWP will view this as a red flag.

You may wish to consider to do some volunteering for a short period before committing yourself. Technically, you should inform the DWP if you do some voluntary work, but if it's only for a brief spell .....

Tommo1980

Your best bet may be to look into supported permitted work.

I had a referral from my CMHT into a local scheme.

Tom

Bogalot

Notification of permitted work does not automatically prompt an ESA50. It may if the work contradicts your claim, but even then it's not a given. Most of the time a PW1 form is entered and no further action taken.

densol wrote: »

Im in the same boat ! I want to help out at the local food bank as a volunteer. They know my problems associating with people so I can help with admin without meeting people. Im still scared to rock the boat as I had 2015/2016 full of medical reviews ( PIP, ESA, IIDB and injury benefit with ex employer ) and I dont have the energy for more as they cause serious self harm.

I would be interested in replies

That's voluntary work, which only needs to be declared (as a change in circumstances) if it contradicts your reasons for claiming. It does not fall under the permitted work provisions.

Philanthropist, not for the first time you have given incorrect advice. Please confirm you are not a DWP employee and nor have you any internal experience of their procedures.

justaquestion

If someone on ESA would like to try permitted work say voluntary or under the £20 a week rule, do they always have to fill in a form and check it out with DWP first?


Just wondering.

PHILANTHROPIST

Bogalot - you may be right.

I merely offer my opinion based on my own experiences attending f2f assessments as a mentor/ friend and reading the resulting skewed outcomes.

It is my firm belief that claimants can be viewed as being miraculously cured by many HCP's/ DM's if they attempt to volunteer or enter into PW.

An example, a claimant with a severe mental health impairment volunteered on two occasions to be a facilitator for MIND - a safe. secure environment. Shortly thereafter, was refused both PIP (DLA transfer) and ESA (review). One of the principal reasons given was that - A) claimant was well enough to volunteer at MIND, so must be fine engaging with other people and making journeys (PIP) and re ESA (can clearly cope with change and engage with others). Thankfully, both decisions were both overturned at appeal, but was highly stressful for claimant.

I would avoid PW unless you have first dipped your toe in the water ..... and are sure that it's for you.

BTW Passatrider - they will NOT stop your benefits for attempting to work. They can only do that following the outcome of a f2f assessment .... which sadly may ensue.

Re justa?'s query - "If someone on ESA would like to try permitted work say voluntary or under the £20 a week rule, do they always have to fill in a form and check it out with DWP first? Just wondering." ....

... re above ; IMO same principle applies - stay stum as such activity should be disregarded as being "nominal".

densol_2

PHILANTHROPIST wrote: »

Bogalot - you may be right.

I merely offer my opinion based on my own experiences attending f2f assessments as a mentor/ friend and reading the resulting skewed outcomes.

It is my firm belief that claimants can be viewed as being miraculously cured by many HCP's/ DM's if they attempt to volunteer or enter into PW.

An example, a claimant with a severe mental health impairment volunteered on two occasions to be a facilitator for MIND - a safe. secure environment. Shortly thereafter, was refused both PIP (DLA transfer) and ESA (review). One of the principal reasons given was that - A) claimant was well enough to volunteer at Mind, so must be fine engaging with other people and making journeys (PIP) and re ESA (can clearly cope with change and engage with others). Thankfully, both decisions were both overturned at appeal, but was highly stressful for claimant.

I would avoid PW unless you have first dipped your toe in the water ..... and are sure that it's for you.

BTW Passatrider - they will NOT stop your benefits for attempting to work. They can only do that following the outcome of a f2f assessment .... which sadly may ensue.

Re justa?'s query - "If someone on ESA would like to try permitted work say voluntary or under the £20 a week rule, do they always have to fill in a form and check it out with DWP first? Just wondering." ....

... re above ; IMO same principle applies - stay stum as such activity should be disregarded as being "nominal".

Thanks for this - very helpful

I dont need to earn money. I just want to give something back to the community ( my clever knowledge ) but I just cant be doing with another assessment so soon. I might just do it as a try out first. Dunno - Im getting stressed and fretting now just at the thought

dippy3103

It totally depends on the nature of the work and if it is at odds with your diagnosis. I dare say in many instances the permitted work has a therapeutic effect.
People report the cases where it does cause a problem but many more go smoothly.
A friend is in the SG yet does a small amount of permitted work as a dog walker. She has mental health issues which make it hard to hold a job down.

tomtom256

justaquestion wrote: »

If someone on ESA would like to try permitted work say voluntary or under the £20 a week rule, do they always have to fill in a form and check it out with DWP first?


Just wondering.

Yes, the amount of cases I get were a someone has started work and failed to declare it is crazy, they normally get passed to compliance when the wage enquiry comes back for an informal interview.

I know its a hassle and worrying to declare a little work paid or unpaid, but it saves an IUC, informal interview and/or potential sanction action down the line which would be far more stressful.

PHILANTHROPIST

tomtom256 wrote: »

Yes, the amount of cases I get were a someone has started work and failed to declare it is crazy, they normally get passed to compliance when the wage enquiry comes back for an informal interview.

I know its a hassle and worrying to declare a little work paid or unpaid, but it saves an IUC, informal interview and/or potential sanction action down the line which would be far more stressful.

Tom - I can relate to your moral high ground approach and would not wish to disagree with a belt and braces approach. However, it is also "non-compliant" to drive at 35MPH in a 30MPH area ... but would I recommend someone to notify the police of such an event !?

So long as any "work" or volunteering is in the short term trivial then I feel a claimant would simply wave a red flag by notifying the DWP. The link below makes reference to the same and contains the following under item 3) as work (as distinct to "permitted work") which is allowed :

.....work which is so minimal that it can be regarded as trivial or negligible.

https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/work-people-living-disability-or-health-conditions