Query - Returning to ESA?

Bookowl

Hello,
Just a query and hope you might be able to help.
I'm on ESA and potentially might be starting a temp job that's only 2 months to Jan 25 but wanted to 
ask a few questions before deciding:
1.What happens if my conditions worsen while I'm in employment and then I can't work again, Can I return to ESA?  I’ve had my conditions worsen while I’ve been in employment previously. 
2.How would I get NI contributions when the role ends - would  I have to plug the gap myself?

For context I’m on contribution ESA  and still in the assessment phase. I sent in my medical capability form in September and was told currently they were looking at Feb/March forms from this year. By those estimations, I’m thinking it’d be Feb /March 25 before they would even look at my forms.

mods - feel free to move if needed- thanks 

huckster

You could do what they call 'permitted work' and remain on ESA, but the work hours would need to be less than 16 hours per week and the earnings must not exceed £183.50 net per week.  You would need to contact ESA or Job Centre for a permitted work form to complete and this will then need to be sent onto ESA. You would simply notify ESA if you stopped working.

If you will be working 16 hours or more per week or exceed the £183.50 per week earnings limit, as soon as you inform ESA, the claim will be closed and the work capability assessment process ended. If you stopped working, then you would have to submit a new claim

In regard to NI credits towards state pension, if you were doing permitted work as you hours and earnings were within allowed limits, the ESA claim would stay open and NI credit would continue to be applied.  If your claim stopped due to work and you then stopped working, you would have to reclaim benefit to obtain NI credits application. 

The work capability assessments are taking about 3 months on average from the assessment form being sent back.

TELLIT01

It's important to stress that you must be working less than 16 hours to be covered by Permitted Work.  Many people have made the mistake of thinking they can work 16 hours.

Bookowl

Thanks for the info 🤩
With re to WCA are they now back to face to face, online or can it vary?
Can I reclaim ESA, if I’m contribution based?

poppy12345

Most are telephone. Your ESA will be New style ESA and yes you can reclaim. 

Bookowl

ok thanks for info, would it matter if I've been on ESA contribution based a few times before previously? Sorry for all the questions, there's been a lot of changes in recent years.

TimeLord1

I'm sure on Incapacity people went off and done various courses for about 8 weeks then just reapplyed. But on the courses National Insurance seemed to not be paid for quite a lot of them. Have you anything income related that could be transferred to Universal credit soon?

Bookowl

No, I don't think so.

Bookowl

I called ESA and was told to ring again on the day I actually start my job. I was told if I found my health detoriated while I was in work I could reapply, it would be in the same tax year as the job is meant to finish Jan 25.

I was also told if my claim was previously disallowed with those conditions I wouldn't be able to re-apply. However, I have new conditions since I was last assessed.

Coincidentally,I received a face-to-face assessment notice, but I’ll inform them I won’t attend. Will they consider my full-time work as a reason not to reapply if my conditions deteriorate?

TimeLord1

Was it the new condition the face-to-face was arranged ? I hope it goes ok for you. What they should do it put it in writing what they have told you.