Im in a bit of a muddle. Ive been on half pay since october( i work in a school), since my ssp…sick pay, ended. I applied for esa…telling them my situation. I got granted it and thought nothing more. Ive returned ti work this week 12 hours a week. I had a call to say i need to fill in a form if ive returned to work so theyre sending me 1. I was then asked why i was paid £**** , i said because im on half pay like i declared. She said, well if its over £115 a week you shouldn’t get esa!
So… Am i that foggy brained that i didnt tell them im half pay or has someone made a mistake?? Ive got to pay it all back in 1 go?? Itd be about £600!! I feel ill. Ive rung McMillan and im awaiting a call back about it. Anyone any advice? Xx
So basically if i was on half pay and claiming contribution based esa is that wrong? X
Hi honey
Thanks for that. Im confused because a teacher friend of mine got esa whilst on half pay too. They had my payslips so saw that too! Hmmmm x
Hi tina if you have have paid enough ni during the past two tax years you are entitled to claim contribution based esa when ssp runs out it doesn’t matter you are getting paid from work. The only thing they take into account are pensions and some kind of group insurance which i had never heard of and they will make a deduction in those cases. I had an asu insurance policy which they got a bit confused with but after taking in bank statements it got sorted. I ran out of ssp, was in 1/2 pay from work, insurance policy and was still entitled to cb esa this automatically switched to the higher rate after a set smount of weeks when they had the esa form bsck. Dwp have got a bit confused!
Oh thank you!! She was so snotty on the phone." why has £*** been paid in your account? You cant have esa while you get a wage…youll have to pay it all back!".
I really didnt need that…especially as it was my 2nd day back at work…which now i regret as i could hardly walk with the neuropathy and i couldn’t concentrate on anything. Plus i slept all afternoon like when i was on chemo! I work in a special school and need to be on the ball. I think until i get the neuropathy under control with the supplements ive bought im going to stay home. If the bug C has taught me anything…its put your health first…stuff money!
Thanks for replying.xx
<Empty imported post>
I went back to work last week after 10months (we get a very generous 2 weeks phased return so will be using holidays!) and have to say i felt like someone had slipped me some fec i felt that fuzzy and tired so you have my sympathy!
I think you can restart your esa claim within a certain timeframe without the faffing around macmillan will be able to advise.
My gp prescribed amitriptline for the nerve pain which has made a difference dont know if youve tried it? Good luck xxxx
Hi. I head back to work tomorrow on a phased return. I went to half pay with ssp. I was advised by payroll ssp would stop after 6 months but that I should claim ESA - bizarrely this would have been more than ssp. This would be paid alongside my half pay. I am back to work just before ssp runs out - and will be looking forward to full pay again finally!
You can do ‘permitted work’ whilst on esa, up to 16 hours per week, no more than £115.50 You must declare this and they will assess your claim. I juggled a few hours work a week with ssp on chemo week, then moved on to esa when I was made redundant. Still got esa when I did part time work exam invigilating.
Thank you
Ive sorted it…they were wrong! Phew.
I tried my return but too painful with these awful feet! I work in a special school so im always havin to be on them…god knows how im gonna manage when i HAVE to return when my pay ends!? Id like invigelating but im only a teaching assistant. X
Invigilating can be done by anyone (subject to dbs clearance) no teaching experience required - however it is on your feet for hours unless you are paired with a SEN student on one2one basis, then you get to sit down!