Starting job after 4.5 years on ESA

[Cotswold1964]

Hello All

 

First time I have posted on here for a while...

 

I am in the process of recovering from various mental health conditions and a dependence on alcohol, but now feel that the time is right to return to the working environment, I wanted to be the one who decided when I was ready for work and not the DWP.

 

I had an appeal for my ESA over a year and half ago now where I had been found fit for work at a medical after being in the WRAG for about 3 years, the chair of the appeal panel thought the evidence was so compelling that I was placed into the Support Group !!! and I have been there ever since.

 

Anyway, the point of this thread is to try and find out what return to work benefits I could expect. I am going to try and work part-time - 18.75 hrs per week, I am 50 and hope that I will be able to qualify for Tax Credits due to my mental health conditions. I am a single (well nearly divorced!) bloke living on my own in a privately rented flat paying £400 pcm rent.

 

The problem is, no matter which way I work it out, whatever I would get in Tax Credits would automatically be taken off the Housing Benefit and Council Tax benefit that I would get. It just seems that I will be doing 18.75 hrs work with the net result being about £10 a week worse off !!! Unless there is something that I have missed ???

 

I am aware of the return to work incentives with something like £100 bonus (!) for returning to work and the £40 a week for the first number of weeks - but does anybody know if I am entitled to anything else to make work pay?

 

Is anyone aware as to whether I am able to apply for any grants to buy some clothes for work as all I seem to have is jeans and shorts which probably wouldn't be too appropriate.

 

I don't want to speak to anyone at Jobcentre Plus as it would show that I should potentially be in the WRAG group if I have been looking for work.

 

Does anybody know if I am entitled to remain on benefits for a type of trial period to test the water on a return to work?

 

Thanks and appreciation for any advice anybody is able to offer...

[citizenB]

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/benefits-check

 

http://www.turn2us.org.uk/information__resources/benefits/working_or_looking_for_work/jobseekers_allowance/working_hours_-_benefit_rules.aspx

 

https://www.gov.uk/part-time-worker-rights

[Nystagmite]

Having a benefits check done by someone at the job centre would not change what group you're put in. They will see people in your situation all the time.

[SabreSheep]

Benefits check can be done at Citizens advice services