Permitted Work

I am on ESA and PIP for shizoaffective disorder. I get the ESA plus the disability components totalling around £190 per week.

I volunteer once a week for four hours which involves a degree of public interaction. The workplace there have alerted me to the possibility of a part time role of 18 hours per week and that I would have a very good chance of it.

I had been wanting to do Permitted Work at some point as a precursor to hopefully getting back into work. My ESA was supposed to be up for renewal in October but I've heard nothing, and I am unsure about taking on something that could jeopardise that. I am also unsure about what benefit I would get - ESA or UC? If I got UC would I be allowed to do Permitted Work at 18 hours? Is there anything else I should be aware of while thinking this through?

Thanks.

What work can I do that wouldn't run the risk of me being deemed fit to work?

Should I go ahead and try for it now or wait until my next assessment?

So it would have to be something that doesn't involve meeting the public?

How often is ESA being assessed just now? I last had mine three or four years ago and it is due now but have heard nothing, should I just leave it?

What would happen if I was assessed again, would it be ESA I'd get?
I've heard they have removed the disability components now, so if I had to appeal and even if it was successful then I would still receive less money. Is that correct?