How will my benefits be effected?

Good evening everyone, Ive posted before about various things that has happened to me along the way from DLA to ESA. Could someone please help me with the following - Ive been placed in the WRAG group & have been given the 365 day rule. I currently get Mobility at the High rate & get the care rate at the lower rate. Ive had my first J/C interview, which was not a nice experience. These are to get me back into work! I now have so many months to find a job then my ESA stops. After that its all about income into the house and i know i will not get anything as my wife works full time. There is a shop in my town that i phoned and explained my situation (i heard they needed someone). I know ive no chance what so ever of working full time again and very limited to what i can do, if any. This job is only 6 hours a week and allows me to sit down and answer the phone thus allowing their full time employee a dinner break. What i need to know is - will this effect my ESA? Will it effect my mobility and care income. What happens in the future after my 365 rule is up? Do i still take part in J/C interviews etc. Will i be classed as working? Im so sorry for so many questions. thank you all in advance for your help. D

Hi David,

It might be possible to work 6 hours a week and still claim ESa if the work can be counted as 'permitted work'. The rules regarding this are complex and you should get agreement from DWP that this would be counted as 'permitted work' before you start.

Permitted Work

The aim of WFIs is to try and help you get ready for work. You are not obliged to work, or seek work, while you are on ESA - but you are correct in saying that payment would stop after 365 days in WRAg if you are not entitled to income-related ESA. In this case your NI credits would continue (and count towards your state pension) and you would still be considered to be 'on ESA'. As you would not be getting the WRAG payment then you would not have to undertake WFIs.

If you plan to take on any work you should look at whether this contradicts any of the reasons for being awarded ESA and/or DLA. Clearly your benefits could be affected if the work activities are not compatible with your reported impairments.

Thank you so much for your reply. i do appreciate the help. Its hard to understand that im in the WRAG group which is the group that they see as able to work, but if was to take on work, it would effect my benefit (mobility). The job only entails sitting down and picking the phone up for about one hour a day. Its impossible for me to undertake any other type of work or longer hours. Ive already been to see my GP in advance (more pain killers). Would this type of work effect my mobility payment? Ive been like this for 14 years. I saw an ATOS doctor in February who put me on the higher rate of mobility and lower rate of care indefinite but yet i can undertake some sort of work. The job on offer surely cannot effect my benefit or if it did, ive no chance of taking up a job. Im so confused and stressed as to, if i take on this job, i will be penalized in the long run. So sorry for sounding a pain

Thank you so much for your replies guys. The latest on the governments policy to get disabled people in work goes as follows - I was due to have my second interview/meeting next week with someone qualified in getting me on a course to build my confidence back up etc. I received a phone call to say the arranged meeting has been canceled due to lack of funding! No funding to help me get back in work. They take my benefits away but cannot afford to fund me anything towards my road to work. It just gets worse.

David wrote: Thank you so much for your replies guys. The latest on the governments policy to get disabled people in work goes as follows - I was due to have my second interview/meeting next week with someone qualified in getting me on a course to build my confidence back up etc. I received a phone call to say the arranged meeting has been canceled due to lack of funding! No funding to help me get back in work. They take my benefits away but cannot afford to fund me anything towards my road to work. It just gets worse.

Hi D,

Highly contradictory to the Governments mantra on helping people back into work

You may wish to inform your M.P. regarding this :

Contacting your MP

bro58