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Original poster

ESA messed up

19 replies

BananaPant · 05/12/2021 12:27

Hi all.. I've messed up haven't I?

Work part time for 15 hours per week . Don't earn v much at all.

Started this job in August.

Been claiming ESA since April
as I have a chronic disability and had to leave my previous job because of it .

Have not told the ESA about my 15 hours a week work but have been giving them sick notes ( altered hours ) from the GP.

I'm currently off sick ( same condition and can't work)

What do I do? Cancel the ESA tomorrow?

I'm worried sick. Absolutely worried sick. Nobody from ESA department has been in touch for any assessments or anything so 🤷‍♀️

Please please can someone advise me.

OP posts:
CorrBlimeyGG · 05/12/2021 12:32

Are you definitely claiming ESA rather than UC?

You can do permitted work while on ESA, earning up to £143 a week, but it needs to be approved in advance.

You need to tell them. Cancelling the claim now does not change what you've already done.

Original poster
BananaPant · 05/12/2021 12:35

Oh no. Am I going to be in masses of trouble.
I feel ill.
I didn't know.

OP posts:
Original poster
BananaPant · 05/12/2021 12:36

Yes it's ESA.
I left my job due to my illness.

Never claimed UC and I also receive PIP.

OP posts:
OldTinHat · 05/12/2021 12:39

I hate to add to your anxiety but they will find out and you will have to pay back what you claimed.

I would come clean now, contact them and tell them and then apply for UC.

The DWP can monitor your bank accounts, social media so even if you're getting cash in hand and putting it in your account, they will know. If you're on a payroll system they will know. Just a matter of time as they're doing masses of investigations atm.

I was investigated in May because they discovered I'd signed up for an OU course three years ago. I had no idea that you weren't allowed to study when receiving ESA and only did 12 weeks before dropping out. But I didn't tell them and they found out. Took about five months to conclude and I had several phone interviews and had to send off so much paperwork including bank statements.

I'm sorry you're ill again but you're just going to have to phone them tomorrow and explain. You don't want to end up being interviewed under caution and going to court.

Good luck OP, be brave!

Original poster
BananaPant · 05/12/2021 12:43

Okay. I will ring them.
Ive not done anything wrong.
I started a 15 hour per week job.

I just didn't understand that this has to be approved. I will
Stop the ESA. I can't claim UC.

OP posts:
pinkandstripey · 05/12/2021 12:48

What do you mean by altered hours for your fit notes? Are you handing in notes that say you are not fit for work, but working as well?

Original poster
BananaPant · 05/12/2021 12:49

Yeah

OP posts:
Original poster
BananaPant · 05/12/2021 12:50

Oh my goodness.

Am
I in so much trouble.

I feel really really unwell.

OP posts:
Viviennemary · 05/12/2021 12:59

You need to sort this out asap before you are suspected of benefit fraud. Do you mean you have only one job you started in August. If you contact them you will be in far far less trouble than if you wait for them to contact you. I dont understand what you mean by altered hours sick notes.

hellswelshy · 05/12/2021 13:16

Hi op, if you mean you have started doing reduced hours and these are less than 16 hrs per week AND less than £143 per week, this will be approved as Permitted work under ESA rules. Lots of people do this before getting it approved, so not ideal but fine if you are under the limits I've mentioned. Call ESA tomorrow, advise them you have been working but believe you're within permitted work limits. Do not tell them to close your claim. They will send you a form to complete and you will need to send in some pay slips as well.

NerrSnerr · 05/12/2021 13:20

You need to call them and tell them everything. They'll sort it out and figure out if you owe anything.

AnotherEmma · 05/12/2021 13:23

Some terrible advice on this thread.
Do not stop your ESA claim, do not claim UC.
As hellswelshy said, this probably falls within the permitted work rules, which means that you have to declare it but can continue to get ESA.

See www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/employment-and-support-allowance/while-youre-getting-esa/working-while-getting-esa/

If you have access to a printer, you can print the form to complete and send at assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1023221/permitted-work-form-pw1.pdf

Do you claim Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction?

Original poster
BananaPant · 05/12/2021 13:36

No I get PIP.

No other benefit at all. Not entitled to any.

I left my job in the spring . I have a long term disability.

I wasn't getting any sick
pay any more as I had left my job and so I contacted the DWP who said I was entitled to ESA.

I then had a call from the job centre and a lady told me the amount of money I would receive. I've had no other contact through the telephone.

I then contacted the DWP again and explained to them I had been offered a job. It was for 15 hours and under £143 a week.

They then sent me a form. And here's what threw me. It mentioned a support person, etc, and they were to fill out a section on the form. Except there is no support person?
So the form hasn't been filled. I started the job and have intermittent time off , again due to my disability.

Oh man. I feel absolutely sick.

OP posts:
CorrBlimeyGG · 05/12/2021 13:57

You're not going to be in so much trouble. Assuming you were earning less than £143, they'll most likely give you a firm reminder that you need to notify them of any changes. They may apply an administrative penalty of £50.

Don't try to tell them you've done nothing wrong. You know you have, denying it will just get their backs up.

Be honest. It will be fine.

AnotherEmma · 05/12/2021 14:47

"I then contacted the DWP again and explained to them I had been offered a job. It was for 15 hours and under £143 a week."

So you already told them about the job. You just haven't returned the form yet. It's fine - just complete the form as best you can and return it ASAP.

You haven't done anything wrong. You've just taken a while to send the form back.

hellswelshy · 05/12/2021 16:37

Yes just complete the form and return it, with proof of earnings. You don't need to have a support worker or advisor, that section on the form is for customers who require support long term to enter the work place. Please try not to worry: as long as your hours and earnings fall within the limits, they will just accept the work.

AnotherEmma · 05/12/2021 17:13

Yes you can ignore page 5 (Supported permitted work) as it's not relevant to you.

pinkandstripey · 05/12/2021 19:08

So you have done ESA about the work you are doing? Then what @AnotherEmma said :)

Original poster
BananaPant · 05/12/2021 19:20

I told them about the job I may be starting , yes. Explained it to them before I had started it and all employment checks had been completed.
It's the support person/ work coach part that stumped me.

I will complete the form they sent as best I can and will also give them a call tomorrow.

OP posts:
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