Hi Michelle
I know what it is like having to claim benefits :(.
Still carry on with the Appeals even if you manage to do full time work . The issue here is really do you think you are capable of working ?
I am presuming you were on SSP for 6 months prior to going on ESA , which would mean you have been on ESA since May 2010 sometime.
With regard to work ..it depends on what you regard as a few hours .
Under 16 hours a week you could get the work regarded as permitted work higher rate ..
see
DirectGov Permitted work This would allow you to work less than 16 hours and earn upto £93 per week without it affecting your benefits . (The earnings disregard was changed in April 10 for Housing Benefit and Council tax to whatever you earn upto £93 pw. so you would still get full Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit)
You need to check with Job Centre plus with regard to your eligibility, and preferably have an appointment with a Disability Employment Adviser (DEA) to talk about your options. I would check with your local Council's HB dept aswell .
Over 16 hours:I don't know what your home situation is , however if you are single with no dependants you can claim Working Tax Credit at 16 hours and over and have a disability element in your Tax Credit calculation for the remainder of this tax year.
Have a look at this guide to being able to get the disability element included...
WTC Disability element leaflet. Looking at the leaflet above you would satisfy condition 1(work 16 hours or more) Condition 2(undergoing a period of rehabilitation OR cannot work an 8 hour day or a 40 hour week) Condition3(you have for one day in the last 6 months been claiming ESA or a combination of ESA and SSP for 6 months) If you lose your ESA appeal i am not sure how this would affect this and this would depend on when you can do 16 hours a week or more, and when the original decision was made on your ESA eligibility.
If you qualify you will also have the disability premium in Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.
It is also possible you could qualify for a tax free "Return to work credit" of £40 pw if you work more than 16 hrs a week and gross less than £15K , but this could be tied into a successful ESA appeal..
Personally i would get in contact with an advice centre , and the DEA at your job centre , and your Local Authority to see what options there are .
With regard to the appeals .. i would definitely get help for these and get evidence of how bad you were at the time of the medical for ESA , and the application for DLA .
There is a great Appeal leaflet from Community Legal Advice /Advice now .. it is mainly for DLA but the principles are the same for the ESA appeal .It describes the process and ways to handle it..
DLA appeals Leaflet Hope this helps a little but all benefits depend on your specific situation , so i would recommend going to an advice agency .
Rich :)
"The difference between 'involvement' and 'commitment' is like an eggs-and-ham breakfast: the chicken was 'involved' - the pig was 'committed'."
