ESA and income

Stedward

I have been on ESA since 2013 (due to mental health problems), in the Support Group. Due to when my claim began, I am on a much more generous package than more recent claimants or those now having to claim UC.

Quite early on, I advised the DWP that I was doing permitted work (web design), so can earn up to £120 per week doing less than 16 hours work. In practice, this never really came to much, as I was not well enough.

I also run a YouTube channel. This is just a hobby and not a money making venture. However, I recently 'monetized' my channel (i.e. I get a cut from the ads YouTube puts on my videos).

A couple of the videos are doing unexpectedly well. At the moment, this is still within the permitted work limits, but the views are continuing to grow.

My question is: what happens if my YouTube earnings go above £120 per week?

I have looked on numerous websites, all stating that I can earn up to this amount "without it affecting my benefits", but none seem to explain how your benefits are affected if you do earn more than this. Are earnings over this amount deducted pound-for-pound from my ESA? Do I get no ESA for those weeks I exceed this amount? Or is my claim entirely terminated?

I fully accept that if I am earning more money, I have less need of benefits, but the fact that I am earning this is no indication of an improvement in my condition so that I am now capable of supporting myself through work. The actual hours of 'work' on these two videos was probably only 2 or 3 hours about 3 months ago, and my income increasing each week has nothing to do with any subsequent work or increased capability; and these views could suddenly drop away to almost nothing at any time.

I would be grateful if someone could advise what the rules are for income above the permitted work limit, and how the DWP would likely deal with a situation such as mine.