On Permitted Work - any other options? 25 February at 11:44PM in Benefits & tax credits 14 replies 434 views

nero33

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

Spoonie_Turtle

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.

HillStreetBlues

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.

calcotti

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.

nero33

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

nero33

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

nero33

HillStreetBlues 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

nero33

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

HillStreetBlues

nero33 said:

HillStreetBlues 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).

elsien

nero33 said:

HillStreetBlues 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.

calcotti

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.