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Question about ESA and back to work

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Hi all I really need advice, I'm thinking of getting a job (god that even feels good typing that :) ). I have been on the sick for 17 years :( my condition or should I say conditions :(:( have got worse in later years.


But I really need to return to the work place, and I think I have found the perfect job that would suit me my conditions. I haven't applied for the job or done anything about it yet.


Wife thinks I'm mad and won't be-able to cope with it (I'm a-bit unsure too, to be honest).


I really need to return to the work place, but would I suffer any repercussion if I got a job and signed of the sick.

Comments

  • pmlindyloo
    pmlindyloo Posts: 13,092 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Aidan- wrote: »
    Hi all I really need advice, I'm thinking of getting a job (god that even feels good typing that :) ). I have been on the sick for 17 years :( my condition or should I say conditions :(:( have got worse in later years.


    But I really need to return to the work place, and I think I have found the perfect job that would suit me my conditions. I haven't applied for the job or done anything about it yet.


    Wife thinks I'm mad and won't be-able to cope with it (I'm a-bit unsure too, to be honest).


    You have a couple of options:

    You can talk to your adviser (work coach) or DWP about doing Permitted Work.

    This was originally set up so that people on ESA could 'dip their toes' into the work place.

    There are criteria. You must work under 16 hrs a week and not earn over a certain limit (google for more information). You need permission from the DWP to do it. The amount earned under Permitted work does not affect your ESA, or HB/CTR.

    Or you can get a full time job, close your ESA claim and go for it! You are allowed to reclaim ESA as a rapid reclaim if you do so within 12 weeks and return to the same group/money as before.

    There may be other options, such as working at least 16 hrs and claiming working tax if you meet the criteria. Do you claim DLA?PIP?

    How many hours is this job?
  • poppy12345
    poppy12345 Posts: 18,880 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Aidan- wrote: »
    Hi all I really need advice, I'm thinking of getting a job (god that even feels good typing that :) ). I have been on the sick for 17 years :( my condition or should I say conditions :(:( have got worse in later years.


    But I really need to return to the work place, and I think I have found the perfect job that would suit me my conditions. I haven't applied for the job or done anything about it yet.


    Wife thinks I'm mad and won't be-able to cope with it (I'm a-bit unsure too, to be honest).


    I really need to return to the work place, but would I suffer any repercussion if I got a job and signed of the sick.
    Have you ever thought about permitted work? This maybe an option and would allow you to "try" going back to work before you decided to work full time. Have a look at this link..https://www.turn2us.org.uk/Benefit-guides/Employment-and-Support-Allowance-Permitted-Work/What-is-permitted-work-(Employment-and-Support-All
    Will it affect your future ESA claim? That would depend on what work you do and whether it contradicts what you're claiming ESA for, as to whether it would go against in with furture assessments. You would also need to ring them and get permission first. Worth thinking about in my oppinion.
  • Aidan-
    Aidan- Posts: 2 Newbie
    pmlindyloo wrote: »
    Aidan- wrote: »
    Hi all I really need advice, I'm thinking of getting a job (god that even feels good typing that :) ). I have been on the sick for 17 years :( my condition or should I say conditions :(:( have got worse in later years.


    But I really need to return to the work place, and I think I have found the perfect job that would suit me my conditions. I haven't applied for the job or done anything about it yet.


    Wife thinks I'm mad and won't be-able to cope with it (I'm a-bit unsure too, to be honest).


    You have a couple of options:

    You can talk to your adviser (work coach) or DWP about doing Permitted Work.

    This was originally set up so that people on ESA could 'dip their toes' into the work place.

    There are criteria. You must work under 16 hrs a week and not earn over a certain limit (google for more information). You need permission from the DWP to do it. The amount earned under Permitted work does not affect your ESA, or HB/CTR.

    Or you can get a full time job, close your ESA claim and go for it! You are allowed to reclaim ESA as a rapid reclaim if you do so within 12 weeks and return to the same group/money as before.

    There may be other options, such as working at least 16 hrs and claiming working tax if you meet the criteria. Do you claim DLA?PIP?

    How many hours is this job?


    I don't think I would want to tell them to much until I'm ready to comit, as for the job I'm looking at it's 37 hour's but thank you for your reply. :)
  • IAmWales
    IAmWales Posts: 2,024 Forumite
    That's great news Aidan. I would say go for it, you'll never know unless you try, but have a serious think about your situation before the 12 week linking period is up. That way you're not closing any doors, you can continue in work knowing you're fit to do so, or you can reclaim your benefits as before.

    Best of luck.
  • poppy12345
    poppy12345 Posts: 18,880 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    pmlindyloo wrote: »
    Aidan- wrote: »
    Hi all I really need advice, I'm thinking of getting a job (god that even feels good typing that :) ). I have been on the sick for 17 years :( my condition or should I say conditions :(:( have got worse in later years.


    But I really need to return to the work place, and I think I have found the perfect job that would suit me my conditions. I haven't applied for the job or done anything about it yet.


    Wife thinks I'm mad and won't be-able to cope with it (I'm a-bit unsure too, to be honest).


    You have a couple of options:

    You can talk to your adviser (work coach) or DWP about doing Permitted Work.

    This was originally set up so that people on ESA could 'dip their toes' into the work place.

    There are criteria. You must work under 16 hrs a week and not earn over a certain limit (google for more information). You need permission from the DWP to do it. The amount earned under Permitted work does not affect your ESA, or HB/CTR.

    Or you can get a full time job, close your ESA claim and go for it! You are allowed to reclaim ESA as a rapid reclaim if you do so within 12 weeks and return to the same group/money as before.

    There may be other options, such as working at least 16 hrs and claiming working tax if you meet the criteria. Do you claim DLA?PIP?

    How many hours is this job?
    Sorry pmlindyloo i didn't see your post was replying rather slowly when you obviously beat me to it :p
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