Test trading / permitted work / ESA

Hello,

I am currently on IB and am in the middle of being transferred to ESA (am filling out the forms atm). I have posted before about whether music (which is my hobby) could be seen as 'work' by the DWP. The answer was as I wasn't earning any money, it isn't work.

However now, I would like to try and earn a little money from my hobby, mainly by selling recordings of my music online, and I am trying to figure out what to put on the permitted work form. I will be self-employed but I have no idea how much money I would make, other than to say I doubt very much it would exceed the limit.

I read about 'test trading' online and thought that might be a good thing to try, but when I phoned the Jobcentre to ask about it, the woman I spoke to said she had never heard of it. Does test trading not exist any more? Or should I keep trying to speak to someone about it?

I am also worried that doing permitted work of this kind might affect my transfer to ESA. If there is any advice anyone can give me, about possible pitfalls to avoid, I would be very grateful.

Many thanks in advance,

Curlysue

Hi, I'm afraid that the only advice I can give is to make sure that you have obtained a definitive reply in writing from DWP.

Hi,

I'm sorry - I don't understand what your reply refers to specifically - a definitive reply in writing regarding what exactly?

Many thanks

Curlysue

About your queries regarding the nature of your hobby, whether it would be classed as work and if you would be allowed to undertake 'test-trading'.

Hi,

Thanks for the clarification. I did phone the Jobcentre and speak to someone, and I did explain what I wanted to do. The woman I spoke to just told me to fill in the permitted work form and send it in.

Do I need to send a letter alongside this form, explaining in more detail and asking about test trading?

The thing is, that the woman I spoke to at the Jobcentre claimed to have never heard of test trading and yet I've read about it in several places online. Can you tell me whether test trading still exists?

Many thanks for your help,

Curlysue