Good Luck Glenys on your return to work ...
and don't forget there is a lot of help out there aswell :)
Rich

Hi Glenys
Just want to wish you lots of luck back at work, I know what a struggle it is.. I have just reduced my hours again to 3 days a week I used to be a healthcare assist and phlebotomist but can no longer do this so working as a receptionist/admin.. Takes a lot of adjusting too but feel better for going to work even if its just for the social side! What operations have you had on you shoulder? I had a decompression/arthroscopy in July but its made it much worse so wailting to see if I have to have another op, had months of physio and accupuncture but no joy yet!
Good luck again and dont overdo it luv ceri xx

Thanks Rich for your good wishes. I work for Derbyshire County Council. They are very supportive. I have a review on Monday to check that I'm OK. Glenys.

I have calcium deposits as well called Calanois ( may have spelt it wrong ) because i have a mild slceroderma overlap .Christine

Hi Glenys

I can feel for you all the way.

I had to phone in sick yesterday and I have done the same today, this is the first time I have had to give in to it.

I was brought up with a strong work ethic by my parents, you do go to school/work even if you are under the weather, if its snowing and can't use transport then you walk.

Unfortunately, these values are instilled in us from an early age and that is why we feel so guilty.

Lets just feel guilty together and maybe our guilt will be halved.

Thinking of you.

Anne x

Hello Glenys


Sorry you not feeling good yest or today. You will be in bed now is nearly
mid night.

I am the Worlds worst worrier. but please remember it is you that
has to come to terms and look after your self we only have 1 chance
at this so please do not think you are letting anyone down. The
only alternative would be to let yourself down and we all know what
RA does to us and how it makes us feel.

Chin up/ Hope by the time you read this you will be feeling better


Rose

Hiya Glenys ,

I did not know you were on ESA as i saw no mention of it in the post.
If you do less than 16 hours and earn upto £95 per week , you could ask for it to be considered as "permitted work" Permitted Work
You normally ask the DWP first as to whether this could be accepted as permitted work, however if since your return you have fitted the rules every week , and the time-scale is not too long , it might be possible to ask them to consider this as permitted work retrospectively. So look at the link above and telephone JCP . Might be an idea to get an interview with your local Jobcentre Disability Employment Adviser , or Pathways to work team , as they should have advised you of your options on your continuing return to work.

Remember, claiming ESA , any work other than voluntary, will suspend an ESA claim and possibly cancel it . If you have been receiving ESA , and working any hours , there could be an overpayment of ESA for any weeks you worked. Unless your work was already being considered as Permitted .( you would have been advised of this in writing from the DWP).
Did you tell the DWP /JCP you were starting work , if so what did they say?

If you are working under permitted work rules already the this may be of help .. extract from the DWP Decision Makers guide:-

Example 2
A person with no established cycle who has worked 8, 11, 9, 0 and 17 hours has an average of nine hours (45 hours divided by 5.) This average is applied to the week in which the 17 hours are worked so that the person is not disallowed for that week.

So basically with permitted work rules you can go over 16 hours . as long as when you add up the previous 4 weeks hours , it averages less than 16 hours for that 5 week period.

If you work more than 16 hours (This is averaged over time) then you can claim Working Tax Credits and receive a disability element in your allowances . (payment will depend on other family income)
I am not a lover of Pathways to work as an idea , however if you approach them when you are ready to go to work , they will do everything to ensure you get all you are entitled to , as a lot are "outside providers" they get payment for every claimant they get to work. It should be noted that Job Centre Plus also run Pathways so it may not be the same with them.

Rich

Hello Rich thank you for your advice on this subject, you were spot on. I had tried ringing JCP without any luck, they just keep you hanging on. So I waited until I saw my personal adviser about it. I've been seeing her whilst I've been recieving ESA, it is like pathways to work. She was great and after a long time trying she was able to speak to someone at the JCP on my behalf. As you had mentioned I had filled in a form informing them that I was doing a staged return to work under the permitted work rules. They are saying that I had filled in the form wrong. I had thought as you did about the average hours thing and that is right so I hadn't broken any rules and my ESA should not have been suspended. My adviser, her name is Lauren, typed out a letter for me showing them again the hours I have worked and showing them the maths as you had said about the average, this being 28, well under the 16 hours or £95 weekly. She then faxed it to them for me. I hope it is reinstated quickly,this should be within three working days. Thanks again Rich it is important that we post these things that may help others if they have the same problems to deal with. Glenys.