Doing online surveys and PIP / ESA

[Orangesandlemons77]

Do you think it is Ok to do the above? I'm worried they may see it as work and it may be fraud. But it is actually helpful to my health as is a distraction in a way and the amount is very small. Any thoughts welcome

Pip is not means tested, and esa you are allowed to do some permitted work to earn money.

Definitely make sure you inform them though even though it won't affect your benefits

The problem os if I inform them I worry it might trigger a reassessment or investigation, which is very stressful.

Maybe I should just leave doing the surveys, sadly it isn't worth the stress for that small amount of money

There won't be an investigation if you inform them beforehand, the worry would be if you started doing it and then they found out, you would then have a compliance interview.

Honestly you have nothing to worry about, you are allowed to do some work on esa.

I'm a compliance officer for dwp, and even if we got a data match to show you are getting earnings, as long as we can see a record of you telling us, and it's below the limits nothing further will happen

What is the data match please? I guess that would involve paid employment such as a job where you gave your NI number?

I'm concerned the DWP might see any work as contradicting the reasons for the ESA support group which might trigger a reassessment, I have hgeard they can do this.

Don't think it is worth the stress

I guess it depends how the money is paid, can you get vouchers or is it paid directly into your bank?if it's for somewhere you won't use would friends/family be able to help you out by taking the voucher off your hands and giving you the cash?

The money is paid via Paypal the same as e.g, ebay selling

No you don't need to inform them that's absolutely ridiculous.

You don’t need to inform them. You’re allowed to earn under a certain amount and PIP isn’t means tested etc.

Not true. If you receive any income, you do need to inform ESA if it's income based.

What about things like selling a few things on ebay?

It's not income based, it's contribution based

@TigerRag if a claimant phoned the dwp to I form them they were filling in a few surveys the advisor would be incredibly bemused. You are confused with a wage.

It's still income, whether it's from surveys or employment.

You do need to tell them of any money coming in, but below the limits it won't affect anything.

Think of it like this...

You inform them and a record is made and no further action is taken as you've been upfront and honest or

Dwp find out at a later date, which will mean a more in depth look at your incomings.

The advisor will not be bemused, they will take the details, make a record and thank you for your call

That is bordering on fraud, and would trigger an investigation.

Which online surveys are you doing where you're earning enough to worry?

(Asking for me cos I get kicked off nearly every one I open 😊)

And how would the DWP find out?

That depends, things you already own and having a clear out? No

But things say bought from a charity shop and sols on then yes as that would be classed as income, but as I said below the limits then nothing would happen to your benefit

You would be surprised, obviously I can't go into full details here, but all it takes is for someone to make a report, or for some loose lips to say too much and that triggers an interview, where further info can be requested

But just to reassure you, its not fraud if you're upfront about it, it becomes fraud when you try to hide it

OK well I think I will just not do the surveys and leave it all for now, it is too stressful. Thanks for the replies

Just had an idea, there is an option with the survey site to donate to charity instead of it being paid to Paypal, I guess I could do that perhaps...

There is an option to donate to charity via the survey site I guess I could do that?

What exactly are you finding too stressful about it?

I have been through a very stressful time including appeals, for PIP and I have mental health problems which include severe anxiety anyway.

I'm just worried by the idea of them reassessing me again and having to go through all that again. That's all.

I would be less concerned about money and more about whether of not doing this contradicts the descriptors of your PIP (I don't know anything about ESA But presume similar) Just check it over, obviously I don't know your circumstances.