ESA reassessment and permitted work

Hi all,

I’m a new member and hoping someone will be able to help.

I have been in receipt of ESA for the past two years as I fell suddenly ill with a serious illness and I’m lucky to still be here. Prior to this I was working full time and always had.

At the time of my claim, I was waiting for surgery and told I could not work. My surgeon wrote a letter to the DWP on my behalf stating this. Therefore, I was fortunate enough to not need a face to face assessment and my questionnaire was enough to be awarded ESA in the support group (contributions based).

However, I now have my face to face reassessment next week. Since being on ESA I have had my surgery but still suffer with my health and have Long term complications. Yet I have returned to work for 12 hours a week. I did so as I have always worked and I am frightened to give my job up completely as I don’t want to rely solely on benefits incase they get stopped at any time and I’m left with nothing. I worry terribly and suffer with anxiety (for which I had counselling last year but still suffer with). I am a single parent paying the bills by myself and also couldn’t afford to live on benefit payments alone so even though I only earn a small amount, it helps. My daughter is almost 16 so my child benefit and child tax credit is due to end in the next few years and I worry about the future.

I was off work on long term sick and returned to do 12 hours which was the minimum amount my employer would be happy with for me to continue in my role. I work as learning support and mainly listen to children read but sometimes help them with letter formation and do some photocopying.

I am really struggling with my 12 hours, to the point where for the rest of the week I am recovering and spend time in bed where I cannot move. I honestly don’t know how much longer I can do it for as I’ve been in tears the past few weeks due to the pain I am in. I have to take painkillers to see my through the day. If I was told my ESA would stop as I’m seen as fit to work I know doing any more hours than I already am would break me.

So my question to the forum is, during my assessment next week would it be likely to be held against me that I am already doing some work? My illness is an invisible one and I’m always told that I ‘look fine’. So I’m now really worried that as I’m working (even though it’s killing me slowly and the maximum I can cope with) that they will think I am capable of working more hours. I always thought that i’m showing that I’m trying and that I want to be in work (it’s good for my mental health as I would never leave the house otherwise) and doing what I can but I have read about some people who it has gone against!

It is permitted work by the way and I phoned the ESA helpline before returning to work to inform them. I have sent a few payslips in when requested so it’s all above board. It’s the assessment side of it I’m worried about and how they judge people who are doing permitted work.

Any advice or information will be greatly received as the worry over my assessment is making me feel even more ill than I usually am.

Thank you in advance (sorry for such a long post)

Hi Gordon,

Thank you very much for your reply this is much appreciated.

I was expecting to be questioned on it and what I will tell them, which is the truth, is that I can only do my role as I am able to get up and down out of my chair frequently (to change the books) as I can’t sit or stand for too long without any discomfort or pain. I also have a very understanding manager who didn’t want me to leave completely as I was a good worker previously and as I am only doing 12 hours a week I can swap my hours/day when needed which helps massively. I would be phoning sick frequently otherwise. I don’t think any other manager would put up with me. I am really struggling with doing the 12 hours at the moment and anymore than that would tip me over the edge. I’ve been in tears coming home and have to rely on painkillers to get me through my time in work. If I wasn’t so frightened to give up work completely, I would. But as I’m on my own I think my anxiety would be at an all time high just solely relying on benefits which could be stopped suddenly at any time.

I don’t know if this is a good enough answer or if they’ll take any of that into consideration or just see it as I can get up and go to work - even though it is with great difficulty and the rest of my week is spent recovering. I am currently lying in bed now because I can’t move after doing a few hours in work two days ago. Would you think they would take this into consideration or would they just not believe me because I do some work? I don’t know if my answer is good enough but it is the truth.

Thanks again

Thank you BIS,

I haven’t even able to get on to the forum in the past few days but had my reassessment today and told her the truth and that I’m struggling. I guess I will have to wait and see what happens in the next few weeks.

Thank you