Mobile navigation

Permitted work

Permitted work is work that you can do while claiming Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or other benefits on the grounds of incapacity.

Normally, you cannot work and be entitled to Employment and Support Allowance unless the work you are doing is permitted work.   

Generally, if you do permitted work you should be paid at least the minimum wage for any work you are allowed to do.

Types of permitted work

There are three types of permitted work: 

Permitted Work - higher limit 

£183.50 pw

You can earn up to £183.50 per week however you must be working less than 16 hours a week. You can do this indefinitely. 

Supported Permitted Work

£183.50 pw

Supported Permitted Work usually applies to people with long term disabilities who need support and/or supervision to carry out employment. The support and/or supervision must come from someone other than the employer and is usually someone that is employed by a public/local authority or voluntary organisation which provides or finds work for people with disabilities. 

There is no limit as to how long you can do this type of permitted work or how many hours you can do as long as your earnings are no higher than £183.50 per week. 

Effect of permitted work on Employment and Support Allowance

The amount you earn under the permitted work rules is disregarded as long as you keep within the above limits.   

Permitted Work Form

Although you do not need to get permission from the Jobcentre Plus to do permitted work, you need to tell them about any work you do even if it is Permitted Work.  You should complete a PW1 Permitted Work Form.    

 

Last modified on 02 August 2024

Share this page

Facebook icon Twitter icon email icon

Print

print icon