My disability means every week is not the same for me, in terms of how much I can work. As such I am working freelance to allow myself some freedom and flexibility.
I currently receive ESA, Housing Benefit and PIP. I have been working part time for the past few months but my earnings have remained below the threshold of ESA £167 a week and Housing benefit 16 hours a week. However if and when I earn above the ESA threshold is there an easy way to report and not lose my ESA entirely? Or do I have to move to Universal Credit for such flexibility?
The Permitted Work limits are black and white, if you exceed the working hours of earnings limit then you lose entitlement to ESA and Housing Benefit.
You could try and negotiate with your JC+ a better interpretation of your freelance work if there are regular fluctuations which currently restrict what you can do.
Your only other option is to claim Universal Credit, this has a Housing Element and does not restrict your working hours. Do not close your ESA before making a claim, if you do then your current ESA award cannot be transferred and you will have to go through the WCA again.
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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