AIBU to be scared of coming off benefits

[ratherhaveacupoftea]

I've been ill for 5 years, well more like 20 years but I've only been out of work for 5 years (bi-polar, agoraphobia, social anxiety) and even if I felt I was well enough to work for an employer I doubt anyone would want to employ me given my medical history.

I've discovered I'm quite good at a certain craft (not cup cakes!) and have done a course to improve my skills, done a lot of research and a business plan. I don't need to borrow money to start up but I only have £1,000 in savings which wont last long if I don't make any money.

I've been self employed before having children so I know its hard work but I'm really scared of making that call to come off ESA . AIBU to even think about doing this when I have young (ish) children?

Can you earn a certain amount without losing benefits? That way you can start low key without losing benefits.

or would it possible to delay starting your business to get a bit more savings behind you. There won't be so much pressure on you then?

Hope all goes well. Good luck!

I'm not sure, I tried to speak to someone at Job center plus and got passed from department to department then a promise to call me back with an answer (they didn't).
Since I've had a 'work focused interviews' which was just going over what benefits I get and who lived in the house and had to hand in copies of bank statements, and utility bills, sign a form acknowledging I understood about what was benefit fraud and then a phone call asking pretty much the same questions. The woman on the phone said it was "Just routine" when I questioned why I was getting another interview within weeks of the other one. I've had more of these interviews in the last 6 months than I've had in 5 years, I'm not doing anything wrong but my anxiety goes into overdrive!

Could you get advice from CAB? They may be able to put you in touch with specialist back to work advice/ support agencies.
Good luck in your new venture!

If you're in WRAG you can earn £20/week without it affecting your benefit- you still have to tell DWP. You may be able to earn more under the permitted work rules - you need to ask about this. If you can't get a call back go to citizen's advice -they'll help

Hi rather

Ask your jobcentre adviser or Citizens Advice about 'permitted work'. It is slightly more complicated with self employment rather than employment but it does allow you to work in certain circumstances and with certain limits to hours and earnings, without losing your ESA.

Any increased income would though affect means tested benefits such as Housing Benefit.

I have read a bit about it but wouldn't feel confident to give you more specific advice on how it works. I hope you can find someone who can advise you further

Do you get DLA as well? If you can't work normal 9-5 because of a disability then you could qualify for the disability element of working tax credits so this will help too (there's a disadvantage test for this so you have to qualify for it). If you do decide to go self employed you can still claim tax credits and you get to keep the DLA regardless, you just have to make sure that you're working more than the minimum hours (but you can split these over 7 days and you factor in advertising/accounts etc). You are still entitled to housing benefit too but they class working tax credits as income, just to make you aware.

You should give it a go. If you don't try you'll never know and there's few things worse than wondering what would have happened if you'd have tried.

Yes, I'm in the WRAG group. I didn't know I could earn anything, I shall phone CAB tomorrow, thank you!

Thank you Lady, VERY helpful. So glad I asked, DWP have been useless, I've learned more in these last few posts.

I used to volunteer at the CAB. They don't tell anyone this stuff

www.disabilityrightsuk.org/tax-credits-extra-money-due-disability

Thank you so much!

You're very welcome. I've sent you a PM by the way. If you need to know anything please do yell Good luck!!