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Receiving ESA in Germany and looking to start work
9 years 5 months ago #126113 by Jan
Receiving ESA in Germany and looking to start work was created by Jan
Hello All,
I was assessed as qualifying for the support group in 2012. (I started Incapacity Benefits as a young person with severe mental health issues in 2005.)
It was a very gruling ordeal as I'm sure you know.
I was diagnosed with Schizoaffective Disorder in 2004 as a 21 year old architecture student. The heavy medication, subsequent hospital stays and mixture of treatment (some good, some horrific) meant I had to quit my studies.
I was finally taken off this medication last year and am trying to get myself back in gear after ten difficult years.
Also I suffer from chronic back pain which comes and goes without warning like my psychologocal symptoms and managed to pick up Lyme Disease in 2011 which didn't help matters, I'm sure you can all totally identify.
Anyway... Good news....
I have done a few little jobs within legal DWP limits (16 hours, 101 Pounds) throughout the years but an opportunity has arisen to put into place the MSc I obtained in 2008, however, it's in Germany, where I have been living since June '13. I receive ESA through the International Pensions office.
The job would be more hours and more money (2000 €) per week than is permitted. It may be that it doesn't go ahead but my employer wants to know if it is possible to take a break from ESA for a year that the contract will last? I'm just scared that if I have a relapse next year or in coming years, that I will not be able to claim any type of support as the DWP is so strict now. Plus I am no longer resident in the UK.
As a foreign national, I think it is hard to claim benefits from the German Government, but I guess that if one is really ill (as I have been and could be, but hope not to be), one would not be left in the lurch so to speak. I have been asking for German mental health advice services for help and they recommended I come back to them with the answer I get from the UK.
It had also occurred to me that I could look to shift to another type of benefit or credit (from the UK?)at the end of the year's job if I remained well but couldn't find further work.
I'm sorry to submit such a messy issue.
It would be great just to be able to start work and earn a living so that I cost the UK nothing and could build up self-esteem and contribute to society. However, I also need to keep a safety net there should anything happen.
Many, many thanks in advance
I was assessed as qualifying for the support group in 2012. (I started Incapacity Benefits as a young person with severe mental health issues in 2005.)
It was a very gruling ordeal as I'm sure you know.
I was diagnosed with Schizoaffective Disorder in 2004 as a 21 year old architecture student. The heavy medication, subsequent hospital stays and mixture of treatment (some good, some horrific) meant I had to quit my studies.
I was finally taken off this medication last year and am trying to get myself back in gear after ten difficult years.
Also I suffer from chronic back pain which comes and goes without warning like my psychologocal symptoms and managed to pick up Lyme Disease in 2011 which didn't help matters, I'm sure you can all totally identify.
Anyway... Good news....
I have done a few little jobs within legal DWP limits (16 hours, 101 Pounds) throughout the years but an opportunity has arisen to put into place the MSc I obtained in 2008, however, it's in Germany, where I have been living since June '13. I receive ESA through the International Pensions office.
The job would be more hours and more money (2000 €) per week than is permitted. It may be that it doesn't go ahead but my employer wants to know if it is possible to take a break from ESA for a year that the contract will last? I'm just scared that if I have a relapse next year or in coming years, that I will not be able to claim any type of support as the DWP is so strict now. Plus I am no longer resident in the UK.
As a foreign national, I think it is hard to claim benefits from the German Government, but I guess that if one is really ill (as I have been and could be, but hope not to be), one would not be left in the lurch so to speak. I have been asking for German mental health advice services for help and they recommended I come back to them with the answer I get from the UK.
It had also occurred to me that I could look to shift to another type of benefit or credit (from the UK?)at the end of the year's job if I remained well but couldn't find further work.
I'm sorry to submit such a messy issue.
It would be great just to be able to start work and earn a living so that I cost the UK nothing and could build up self-esteem and contribute to society. However, I also need to keep a safety net there should anything happen.
Many, many thanks in advance
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