ESA and Work

If someone is on ESA and in the support group, but the condition putting them in the support group has begun to improve and they wish to return to work. Are there any particular steps that they should follow followed or can they just find work and inform DWP once they have done so?

If the condition has only begun to improve and the work is also restricted work, such as work from home. What should be done in that instance?

Hi,

I just wanted to share my experience (although this was a couple of years ago). I recieved ESA and was in the support group (2017). My condition didn't improve much but I was able to manage some work quite quickly - as long as I didn't do too much or anything that made me worse. I notified the DWP (PW1?) and talked to my Work Coach about it as well. I had no problems at all and I think it was actually seen as a positive. One frustration for me was that the PW1 form didn't reflect what I was doing which was occassional work and I couldn't tell them the exact hours or income - so I just put what I did know on the form. By 2020 I was able to work enough hours to come off ESA. The brilliant thing about was that I could build up my capacity for work slowly before coming off ESA - but I was really worried about doing it at first because of the worry they would stop my benefits. Obviously it always depends on individual circumstances and the reasons for being placed in the support group, and this is just personal experience not any form of advice!!