To not tell the DWP???

[BoomBaBoom]

I'm on ESA, the new style contributions based ESA. In the work relatively activity group. I'm allowed to do permitted work of 16 hours a week and £140 a week maximum.

I'll only recieve the ESA until October and then it'll stop.

I have a job. In normal times it's 7.5 hours a week £65.40 so within the permitted work. But I'm on reduce hours at the moment because of Covid and Furloughed for the rest of the hours. I'm only actually working about three hours a week at the mo!

I've applied for another job which is ten hours a week and would be £87.20. If I get this job, I'll be doing 17.5 hours a week and I'll be over the £140 a week limit by £12.60. I don't really want to lose my ESA for the sake of £12.60 and 1 and half hours extra!

I'm half tempted to just not tell them if I get the job. But I'd feel awful. Would they find out? Would I have to pay the money back?

WIBU to not tell them?

Okay, yes, I get it. I think I'm special, the rules don't apply to me, blah blah blah, it's benefit fraud, etc. I get it. If I'm lucky enough to even get the new job, I'll tell the DWP.

@BoomBaBoom

Yes, I can work but I'm claiming ESA because I'm limited in the work and hours I'm able to do due to mental illness. And as the ESA is only contributions based, I'll only recieve it until October and then I'm on my own. It is the only benefit I recieve and have ever recieved.

In that case Def see of job 1 will furloigh you - if they can give someone your hours then it's a double win.

Do you qualify for working tax credits? If you go over 16 hours I THINK you would be which might counter balance the loss of ESA?

No need to be sarcastic, OP, you asked for advice.

While I think it would be risky not to declare it, some of you are assuming better communication between HMRC and the DWP than is always the case!

Why don't you ask (new job) if you can work 1 hour less. Even if it's only 15 mins less per day, or an hour 1 day I cannot see it'll make masses of difference to your employer

@BoomBaBoom is there any scope to slightly reduce the hours at one of the jobs? I know someone who had to do this recently as she got a pay rise which took her just over the limit allowed to earn so had to drop hour and a half a week

This was always going to end well.

No, I don't qualify for any other benefits besides contributions based ESA and child benefit. My DH earns too much apparently.

Yes they will find out and very quickly.

[quote Sootess]@BoomBaBoom is there any scope to slightly reduce the hours at one of the jobs? I know someone who had to do this recently as she got a pay rise which took her just over the limit allowed to earn so had to drop hour and a half a week[/quote]
Yes, if I get the new job I'll see if that's a possibility.

It would need to be cash in hand

@BoomBaBoom

No, I don't qualify for any other benefits besides contributions based ESA and child benefit. My DH earns too much apparently.

Ok so if he's earning enough to cover the bills etc I'd Def keep the two jobs and cancel the ESA. Long term that should be better financially and practically

Regardless of the rights and wrongs... they will absolutely definitely find out you’re working if both jobs are above board and going through HMRC.

It’d be a bloody stupid thing to do.

If you are currently furloughed and only working 3 hours per week, you are only over the earnings limit by £4.75.

It’s fraud.

We all go through that situation ie earning more than NI rates, going onto tax, next step in pensions etc etc. That’s life.

If I manage to get the other job then I'll tell them.

I don't really want to lose my ESA for the sake of £12.60 and 1 and half hours extra!

Mad logic - how do you think the money for benefits accumulates without people who are capable of working doing so enough to fund them? Anyhow, glad to hear you're doing the right thing OP.

They will know.
My son is on ESA and I’m his appointee. He’s in support category. He got a casual paid position as a quality checker for a few hours every few months.
It was below the limits so I didn’t realise I needed to tell them.
I was called in for a benefits interview. They knew through PAYE. Will your benefits stop altogether if you do more hours or will they just adjust the amount?

Why is the solution giving up one job? Why not keep both jobs if you get the new one and then come off ESA earlier? Then you don't need to worry about how much you earn and can increase hours as and when you want to.

@supercatlady

They will know. My son is on ESA and I’m his appointee. He’s in support category. He got a casual paid position as a quality checker for a few hours every few months. It was below the limits so I didn’t realise I needed to tell them. I was called in for a benefits interview. They knew through PAYE. Will your benefits stop altogether if you do more hours or will they just adjust the amount?

Yes, they'll stop altogether.

Your husband earns too much for you to qualify for any top up benefits and you want to work 2 jobs and claim ESA

@extentioncord

Your husband earns too much for you to qualify for any top up benefits and you want to work 2 jobs and claim ESA

What's your point?

Can you ask your current employer to reduce your hours by the requires amount? You can still do the 3 hours for them, just have less furlough time.

What's your point?

That your husband is bringing in a decent wage and you have 2 jobs taking you over the threshold for ESA. It's not even difficult.

@extentioncord

What's your point?

That your husband is bringing in a decent wage and you have 2 jobs taking you over the threshold for ESA. It's not even difficult.

I don't have two jobs. I have one job. I've put in an application for another position which I may not even get. Also, define decent wage. We struggle financially and need additional income, hence me applying for another job.