ESA - Return to work effects on ESA

Hi ,

I would like to try to return to work. I am currently still in the initial assessment phase of ESA(CB). My doctor is happy for me to try a return to work as is my employer. I receive enhanced rate PIP care and mobility components. I am currently 12 weeks into my ESA claim.

If I find I cannot cope with with the return to work will it effect my claiming ESA again?

Likewise would it prejudice any future claim of ESA?

Would it effect any of my PIP claims?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Hi,

Welcome to Benefits and Work

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I gather that you are still classed as "Employed".

Regarding your ESA, if you were to return to work, you would have to formally close your ESA claim in writing : Sending Documents to the DWP or ATOS

There is a "12 Week Linking Rule" for ESA Claims. Therefore, if you found that you could not cope with work within 12 weeks of closing your ESA claim, you could make a rapid reclaim.

You would be placed back into The Assessment Phase.

If 12 weeks or more had elapsed, you would have to make a totally fresh claim for ESA, which would obviously take longer.

As you are still only in The Assessment Phase, and have not been placed into The WRAG or The Support Group, trialling a return to work should not adversely prejudice any future ESA claim.

PIP is an "in work benefit" you can have full employment whilst in receipt of PIP.

However, you would have to inform PIP about going back to work, this could have an adverse effect on your PIP awards, and instigate a review if any of the actions/duties involved in your employment were in direct contradiction to the limitations and needs that originally gave you the PIP awards.

bro58

Thanks for that Bro58.

Everything sounds OK for me to try to return to work. On the note about PIP, I would be returning to the same job that I had when I was assessed and granted PIP, would I still need to inform them about the return to work?

Thanks in advance, Carrolm

carrolm wrote: Thanks for that Bro58.

Everything sounds OK for me to try to return to work. On the note about PIP, I would be returning to the same job that I had when I was assessed and granted PIP, would I still need to inform them about the return to work?

Thanks in advance, Carrolm

Hi cm,

If that is the case, and The DWP were well aware of the duties involved in your employment when the PIP awards were made, and you are returning to the same job with the same duties, there should be no adverse effect on your PIP awards.

You may still wish to inform them to be on the safe side, but that is up to you.

If you do, you could make it absolutely clear that you are returning to the same job, etc, as the one that you were doing when awarded PIP.

bro58