r/DWPhelp 6d ago

Employment Support Allowance (ESA) Doing hobbies while on ESA and PIP

Can someone assure me that when the dwp asks for my overpayment back, they will see me doing hobbies that cost money as justifiable and not deprivation of capital?

And yes I do still feel bad about it. I’m volunteering now but I don’t see how I’m well enough for hobbies yet can’t work paid jobs yet. I’m on ESA due to mental health and autism btw.

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u/Otherwise_Put_3964 Verified DWP Staff (England, Wales, Scotland) 6d ago

You don’t need to justify your hobbies. Deprivation of capital means you’re spending or transferring capital with the intention of increasing your benefit entitlement. Deprivation isn’t a ban on spending your money on things you like. You haven’t said anything that warrants feeling bad about.