On Permitted Work - any other options?

nero33nero33 Forumite
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I'm just posting on behalf of a relative who is on income based ESA.

Currently working 15 hours per week, under the Permitted Work scheme.  Not claiming any UC, tax credits, child benefit, HB etc etc.  Children all grown up

Employer is offering more hours (up to 24/wk)  but relative unsure they'd be able to manage it, but would love to do it.

The fear is that going over 15 hrs would obviously take income over the maximum allowed.  

And the worry is if taken off ESA, they may never be allowed back on and have to jump through hoops if 24 hrs proves too much and wants to revert back to 15 hrs.

Is there any scheme that allows you to stay on ESA & work more than 15 hrs or have some grace period to return to 15hrs and Permitted Work

Thanks


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  • edited 26 February at 12:17AM
    Spoonie_TurtleSpoonie_Turtle Forumite
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    edited 26 February at 12:17AM
    nero33 said:
     And the worry is if taken off ESA, they may never be allowed back on and have to jump through hoops if 24 hrs proves too much and wants to revert back to 15 hrs.

    Is there any scheme that allows you to stay on ESA & work more than 15 hrs or have some grace period to return to 15hrs and Permitted Work

    Thanks


    Their only option would be to claim UC, whilst still on ESA that would give them the same status (WRAG or Support Group equivalent) on UC from the start.  There is no threshold on earnings or hours on UC like there is on ESA, although their UC would be reduced by 55% of any earnings above £573 if they don't need to claim help with rent.

    Entitlement will depend on their circumstances but the crircumatances taken into account for income-related ESA are very similar to those for UC.  They should do a benefits calculation putting in 15hrs work/salary and another with 24hrs (pretend they don't claim ESA, for the calculation) to see how they would fare on UC.

    For UC they could reduce their hours again if need be, no problem.
  • edited 26 February at 10:15AM
    HillStreetBluesHillStreetBlues Forumite
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    edited 26 February at 10:15AM
    I agree with the above, use a benefits checker.

    I would have thought if there is no SDP on the ESA claim, UC would pay more even with the 15 hours of permitted work, if single and no other benefits claimed.
    Let's Be Careful Out There
  • calcotticalcotti Forumite
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    They may well get more money on UC anyway on their existing hours. Could use a benefits calculator to check. 

    Please pay particular attention to the advice if claiming UC to make the claim while ESA is still in place. If there is a gap they will have to have a new work capability assessment.
    Information I post is for England unless otherwise stated. Some rules may be different in other parts of UK.
  • nero33nero33 Forumite
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    Thanks for the above replies.  I've asked them for more info/circumstances as requested. The amounts are approximates.

    Relative is married. On ESA and gets PIP (£50/wk) & Indust Injury benefit (£30/wk)

    Wife works 2 days a week (10 hrs total).and gets Carers Allowance (approx £60/wk) which reduces husband's ESA to about £50/wk.

    1 adult child, 20.

    Own house, no rent, so no HB
  • nero33nero33 Forumite
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    Spoonie_Turtle said: nero33 said:
     And the worry is if taken off ESA, they may never be allowed back on and have to jump through hoops if 24 hrs proves too much and wants to revert back to 15 hrs.

    Is there any scheme that allows you to stay on ESA & work more than 15 hrs or have some grace period to return to 15hrs and Permitted Work

    Thanks


    Their only option would be to claim UC, whilst still on ESA that would give them the same status (WRAG or Support Group equivalent) on UC from the start.  There is no threshold on earnings or hours on UC like there is on ESA, although their UC would be reduced by 55% of any earnings above £573 if they don't need to claim help with rent.

    Entitlement will depend on their circumstances but the crircumatances taken into account for income-related ESA are very similar to those for UC.  They should do a benefits calculation putting in 15hrs work/salary and another with 24hrs (pretend they don't claim ESA, for the calculation) to see how they would fare on UC.

    For UC they could reduce their hours again if need be, no problem.
    The £573 figure is per month? Thanks
  • nero33nero33 Forumite
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    I agree with the above, use a benefits checker.

    I would have thought if there is no SDP on the ESA claim, UC would pay more even with the 15 hours of permitted work, if single and no other benefits claimed.
    Can ask what SDP means? Relative isn't single.  Thanks
  • nero33nero33 Forumite
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    calcotti said:
    They may well get more money on UC anyway on their existing hours. Could use a benefits calculator to check. 

    Please pay particular attention to the advice if claiming UC to make the claim while ESA is still in place. If there is a gap they will have to have a new work capability assessment.
    A gap in what?  He's a long term ESA claimant if that's relevant.  Thanks
  • edited 26 February at 11:18AM
    HillStreetBluesHillStreetBlues Forumite
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    edited 26 February at 11:18AM
    nero33 said:
    I agree with the above, use a benefits checker.

    I would have thought if there is no SDP on the ESA claim, UC would pay more even with the 15 hours of permitted work, if single and no other benefits claimed.
    Can ask what SDP means? Relative isn't single.  Thanks
    It's severe disability premium.
    If it's included in ESA  then UC is normally less,  but if not included UC normally pays more.
    But having a parter normally means SDP can't be claimed (depends on the partner's situation).
    Let's Be Careful Out There
  • edited 26 February at 11:16AM
    elsienelsien Forumite
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    edited 26 February at 11:16AM
    nero33 said:
    I agree with the above, use a benefits checker.

    I would have thought if there is no SDP on the ESA claim, UC would pay more even with the 15 hours of permitted work, if single and no other benefits claimed.
    Can ask what SDP means? Relative isn't single.  Thanks
    Severe Disability Premium as part of their ESA.
    All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.

    Pedant alert - it's could have, not could of.
  • edited 26 February at 12:13PM
    calcotticalcotti Forumite
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    edited 26 February at 12:13PM
    nero33 said:
    Spoonie_Turtle said: .  There is no threshold on earnings or hours on UC like there is on ESA, although their UC would be reduced by 55% of any earnings above £573 if they don't need to claim help with rent.
    The £573 figure is per month? Thanks
    Yes, a month. The Work Allowance is applied to your joint earnings.
    Information I post is for England unless otherwise stated. Some rules may be different in other parts of UK.
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