ESA stopped because of craft work (under permitted work)!

[Lilly_Monroe]

A few months ago I wrote and informed the DWP (and ask for guidance) about doing permitted work.

They seemed very offish with me and I got no real help.

 

They sent me a form to fill in my earnings...well I sold one item for £15 my permitted was/is craft work from home.

I doubt I made £1 profit, but that is not why I do the craft work - it is to help with my MH issues.

 

I sent a letter explaining this and again asking for some clear guide lines.

I heard nothing back until today, when they have told me my ESA has been stopped whilst they investigate my business.

 

What business, I make a few craft items in my spare bedroom, I buy bits and pieces to use from charity shops I have spent pounds and pounds on buying bits, its therapeutic and helps make me go out the house.

 

There is NO business so what am I meant to reply and tell them outside what I already have said/sent.

 

The form they have sent (although a standard form I expect they send to everyone) is crazy, car lease expenses, wages paid to self/spouse/staff.

 

I know they got my letter because I sent it so they had to sign for it, and signed they did.

So why am I being treated like a criminal.

 

I don't know what to do other then send the letter again.

I will not ring them A because of the cost B because I have no record of what was said.

 

If anyone else is thinking of doing some permitted work - don't!

It's going to be scrapped under UC anyway.

 

I just hope I can get my ESA reinstated, I will stop the craft work and decline into myself once more.

[mikeymack2002]

Is this a new thread or a continuation of this one? http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?445781-Permitted-work-ESA-DWP-more-information-form&p=4733583#post4733583

[mikeymack2002]

You can allows go to your local JCP and use the phones there to speak to them at no cost..

[Mr.P]

When I was claiming JSA, I got asked why I had listed project manager/administrator amongst my work experience. At the time, I was part of a team working on an open source project for which none of us received any remuneration. Despite protesting that it was only a hobby interest that only occupied an hour or so of my time each week, I was still required to fill in forms to declare my "earnings".

 

After filing a few of these forms, I eventually got a decision from above (before they had centralised the Decision Makers) that it was indeed a hobby and a regular earnings declaration was not required.

 

I would suggest that you go back to the DWP and tell them that the "permitted work" is a hobby endorsed by your CPN and should not be viewed as employment. Fill in the form that the have sent you as best you can. If you can get your CPN on board, ask her for a letter with emphasis on the therapeutic benefits of a hobby.

 

One more suggestion: If you are claiming HB/CTX it would be advisable to contact the council and let them know that ESA is suspended and as a result you are on a nil income.

[telemark]

Have you spoken to your ESA Jobcoach at your local Jobcentre? They should be able to help you with any paperwork you need to do for your Permitted Work.

 

I do a little self-employed online work from home under the scheme. The form I needed to complete and send to my local BDC was a PW1. My Jobcoach put one in the post to me and I filled it in and returned it to my BDC. Hope that helps.

[Lilly_Monroe]

You can allows go to your local JCP and use the phones there to speak to them at no cost..

I could accept I live 20+ miles away, and I want any conversation on paper.

[Lilly_Monroe]

Have you spoken to your ESA Jobcoach at your local Jobcentre? They should be able to help you with any paperwork you need to do for your Permitted Work.

 

I do a little self-employed online work from home under the scheme. The form I needed to complete and send to my local BDC was a PW1. My Jobcoach put one in the post to me and I filled it in and returned it to my BDC. Hope that helps.

 

 

That's a good idea - my adviser is lovely and very helpful.

 

Cheers.

[mikeymack2002]

Please answer question at post 2

[Lilly_Monroe]

When I was claiming JSA, I got asked why I had listed project manager/administrator amongst my work experience. At the time, I was part of a team working on an open source project for which none of us received any remuneration. Despite protesting that it was only a hobby interest that only occupied an hour or so of my time each week, I was still required to fill in forms to declare my "earnings".

 

After filing a few of these forms, I eventually got a decision from above (before they had centralised the Decision Makers) that it was indeed a hobby and a regular earnings declaration was not required.

 

I would suggest that you go back to the DWP and tell them that the "permitted work" is a hobby endorsed by your CPN and should not be viewed as employment. Fill in the form that the have sent you as best you can. If you can get your CPN on board, ask her for a letter with emphasis on the therapeutic benefits of a hobby.

 

One more suggestion: If you are claiming HB/CTX it would be advisable to contact the council and let them know that ESA is suspended and as a result you are on a nil income.

 

Thanks for that I forgot all about the council.

I have letters from my CPN which state my illness's and the detrimental effect they have on my life, her letters got my PIP refusal overturned so I will ask her once again for help.

 

I find it so wrong that they can ignore my letter explaining it all - to come back to me for more info I would have fully understood - but not this.

I am 58 ( I know that age is no barrier to people who cheat) but I live alone, and do a few crafts to help me stay in contact with the real world.

[Lilly_Monroe]

Please answer question at post 2

 

 

I guess it is - yes.

Sorry, could not remember what I posted in that thread I struggle to recall yesterday at times.

[estellyn]

Fill in the form putting N/A against anything that is not applicable (even if it is almost everything), and then sign it. Send it with a covering letter stating that your weekly earnings are never above £20 (I assume from what you've said that they aren't). This should get the matter sorted out promptly. Unfortunately it is one of those things where they need to get the signed form back to make the decision. If you have any issues with any of the questions, come back to us and we'll help you out. If you don't send the form back, they'll just send you another one out.

[Lilly_Monroe]

Fill in the form putting N/A against anything that is not applicable (even if it is almost everything), and then sign it. Send it with a covering letter stating that your weekly earnings are never above £20 (I assume from what you've said that they aren't). This should get the matter sorted out promptly. Unfortunately it is one of those things where they need to get the signed form back to make the decision. If you have any issues with any of the questions, come back to us and we'll help you out. If you don't send the form back, they'll just send you another one out.

 

 

Thanks I will send the form back, just in the middle of writing to them again.

No my earnings are not £20 a week more like £20 4 to 6 weeks - and that's not profit

 

I spoke to my old adviser at the JC she said that permitted work depends on who you get on your case, some are great others go to town thinking we are all milking the system.

She made me feel better although she said I have just got to jump through the hoops and do as asked.

She said she will contact them for me and see what is going on.

 

I am not worried that my money will not be reinstated - they can come and camp outside my house for xx amount of months even years, I am doing nothing wrong.

 

What a bummer:)

 

Thanks everyone for the very useful help and advice.

Just hope they hurry up about it

[newhereplease help]

A few months ago I wrote and informed the DWP (and ask for guidance) about doing permitted work.

They seemed very offish with me and I got no real help.

 

They sent me a form to fill in my earnings...well I sold one item for £15 my permitted was/is craft work from home.

I doubt I made £1 profit, but that is not why I do the craft work - it is to help with my MH issues.

 

I sent a letter explaining this and again asking for some clear guide lines.

I heard nothing back until today, when they have told me my ESA has been stopped whilst they investigate my business.

 

What business, I make a few craft items in my spare bedroom, I buy bits and pieces to use from charity shops I have spent pounds and pounds on buying bits, its therapeutic and helps make me go out the house.

 

There is NO business so what am I meant to reply and tell them outside what I already have said/sent.

 

The form they have sent (although a standard form I expect they send to everyone) is crazy, car lease expenses, wages paid to self/spouse/staff.

 

I know they got my letter because I sent it so they had to sign for it, and signed they did.

So why am I being treated like a criminal.

 

I don't know what to do other then send the letter again.

I will not ring them A because of the cost B because I have no record of what was said.

 

If anyone else is thinking of doing some permitted work - don't!

It's going to be scrapped under UC anyway.

 

I just hope I can get my ESA reinstated, I will stop the craft work and decline into myself once more.

 

Hi Lily,

 

This is our wonderful government for you, ignore the tens of billions lost in tax through big business and go after the public making a tenner.

The only thing I would suggest is that you make it clear that the items you buy from the charity shops are not sold on for profit but are used (fabric etc) as part of your craft items. I say this because one of the criteria they use to determine if you are a business is buying items and reselling to make a profit. You need to make sure they don't think this is the case. If this is what you are doing then you will need to be honest with them.

Your crafts sound like they really help you a lot and that would be a terrible shame if these buggers messed that up for you. Have you thought about still making your creations and giving them to local churches, schools etc to sell on to raise money for the community or children etc? You still get the lift that making your crafts gives you and you help raise much needed funds for your local community.

[telemark]

That's a good idea - my adviser is lovely and very helpful.

 

Cheers.

 

 

Hopefully they will best placed to help you. Mine's also the DEA at my Jobcentre so he's well versed in this area. Maybe I'm just lucky on that, I'm not sure. Good luck with your endeavours anyhow.

[Lilly_Monroe]

Hi Lily,

 

This is our wonderful government for you, ignore the tens of billions lost in tax through big business and go after the public making a tenner.

The only thing I would suggest is that you make it clear that the items you buy from the charity shops are not sold on for profit but are used (fabric etc) as part of your craft items. I say this because one of the criteria they use to determine if you are a business is buying items and reselling to make a profit. You need to make sure they don't think this is the case. If this is what you are doing then you will need to be honest with them.

Your crafts sound like they really help you a lot and that would be a terrible shame if these buggers messed that up for you. Have you thought about still making your creations and giving them to local churches, schools etc to sell on to raise money for the community or children etc? You still get the lift that making your crafts gives you and you help raise much needed funds for your local community.

 

I do give some to the charity shops for them to sell and keep what they make - I give some to friends so basically I an not making a dime.

The trouble is I need to get some money back to put back into buying other bits and pieces to keep it sort of self financing, that is all I (when I sell one) that is all the money covers - I am not making any profit.

Anyone looking at my items can see they are worth far more than I ask (in fact they comment on the low price) so it is not about making money/running a business.

 

I cannot expect anyone to really understand how working with the colours and creating something lifts me (especially not the DWP) they think we are all cheating the system.

Even spending time on Ebay looking at craft items is time spent away from thinking about health issues and getting more depressed.

 

I have written my letter, filled in the silly form they sent me - and ee what my adviser comes back with when she has spoken to them, and hope they see sense.

 

Thanks for the lovely reply much appreciated.

[Shoelover]

Lily,

 

Do you think you could get a letter from a health professional explaining how therapeutic it is? I get stressed out at work & find chilling & colouring in is a way to just let it go..

 

I feel for you - you have done your best to be honest & keep it all straight. I'm sure they will decide it's therapeutic.

 

Can I suggest you keep a record of all you spend & are paid-,just to show that it's really is a hobby that kind of pays for itself.

 

Hugs xx

[estellyn]

Lily doesn't need to prove it's therapeutic - as long as income is less than £20 a week it is allowed under the rules for as long as she likes, they just need to have the paperwork on file.

[Shoelover]

Lily doesn't need to prove it's therapeutic - as long as income is less than £20 a week it is allowed under the rules for as long as she likes, they just need to have the paperwork on file.

 

Proof that I need to update my ESA knowledge- it's permitted not thetaputic now!

[estellyn]

Proof that I need to update my ESA knowledge- it's permitted not thetaputic now!

 

Yes, they changed it a little while ago - can't remember when. I know what you mean though things are changing quickly - once UC comes in my knowledge will become pretty useless. I think I may have to shell out on a cpag guide and do some reading

[Shoelover]

Yes, they changed it a little while ago - can't remember when. I know what you mean though things are changing quickly - once UC comes in my knowledge will become pretty useless. I think I may have to shell out on a cpag guide and do some reading

 

And if we struggle to keep up with the rules, and we work in the system, then it's no small wonder folks get confused!