Can I still work while in the ESA Support Group?

rossi11

Hi All, 
I called the DWP but the person I spoke to was highly rude and questioning my reason for wanting to work. I'm age 39, recently taken partial medical retirement in education due to cancer. 
I receive £113 each week in the support group BUT I also receive a small private pension (which I have already declared and given proof). The pension is £66.75 per week. I read somewhere that I could potentially earn up to £140 per week whilst in the support group, but does this mean I would have to take into account my pension? E.g. £140 - £66.75 = £73.25 earning potential per week? 
Thank you in advance for anyone who may be able to give insight into this. As previously mentioned, I've found the DWP, in general, to be judgemental and difficult to deal with.
Rossi11

poppy12345

Yes, it's called permitted work and you can earn up to £140 per week and this doesn't include your pension. However, do be aware that if the work you do contradicts the reasons why you're claiming ESA then you could be reassessed early and it could go against you when the decision is made.

https://www.turn2us.org.uk/Benefit-guides/Employment-and-Support-Allowance-Permitted-Work/What-is-permitted-work-Employment-and-Support-All

You will need to fill out the PW1 form when doing permitted work.

rossi11

Thanks Poppy12345. I certainly hope this doesn't come across as being greedy... I understand that it may seem to contradict the reason. I certainly could not work more than "very part-time" and I guess I was placed into the support group for my health reasons. But I feel that I could be doing something minimal rather than being at home. I do volunteer but COVID has certainly stalled this. 

poppy12345

There are people that do permitted work. If the reasons don't contradict then there shouldn't be any problems.

calcotti

rossi11 said:

Thanks Poppy12345. I certainly hope this doesn't come across as being greedy...

Not at all - permitted work is there for reason. Without it there would be no financial benefit from doing any work while on ESA.
Doing permitted work will not change the way your pension is treated, any pension income below £85/week is ignored.