Advice concerning Income Support/ESA

[Starvinho]

Hi,

My partner recieves DLA in the highest rate for care and mobility and is currently in the appeals process for ESA after recieving 0 points at the medical. She also recieved Income Support until recently when the ESA people cancelled in it light of the medical results.

I recieve Carer's Allowance and have recently been informed I am entitled to Income Support. What I want to know is can I apply for Income Support and add my partner onto my claim and just cancel the ESA appeal. I've worked it out and we would get basically the same amount of benefits either way but it just seems like less hassle being on Income Support rather than ESA.

Neither of us work either by the way.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thank you.

[Stepheninleeds]

I would love to say yes, but these changes have confused the hell out of me. We have some true experts on this who will advise.

[davewhit]

Hi,

My partner recieves DLA in the highest rate for care and mobility and is currently in the appeals process for ESA after recieving 0 points at the medical. She also recieved Income Support until recently when the ESA people cancelled in it light of the medical results.

I recieve Carer's Allowance and have recently been informed I am entitled to Income Support. What I want to know is can I apply for Income Support and add my partner onto my claim and just cancel the ESA appeal. I've worked it out and we would get basically the same amount of benefits either way but it just seems like less hassle being on Income Support rather than ESA.

Neither of us work either by the way.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thank you.

you need expert advice as steve has posted what I have read on forums how people on IS who are sick or have a claim with someone who is sick are being moved to esa think about joining B&W there you would have access both to easy to read downloads on ESA and people who claim all sorts so a post there might get you an answer or directions of where to go next

[foxes]

What the hell ?

I don't get it. So if you don't pass the medical you would lose Income Support too but a partner can claim it instead ?

That's stupid...

[davewhit]

What the hell ?

I don't get it. So if you don't pass the medical you would lose Income Support too but a partner can claim it instead ?

That's stupid...

some people but not all are in a postion where both partners have rights to certain benefits and can claim the other as partner

as UNiversal Credit starts and people on IS but illget moved to ESA these people will be few and far between
in the example here the person on care allownace migh find when they apply for IS they might get told to apply for JSA if they have no other reason for applying for IS other than partner cant get ESA expert advise as normal is needed to get through this minefield

[foxes]

some people but not all are in a postion where both partners have rights to certain benefits and can claim the other as partner

as UNiversal Credit starts and people on IS but illget moved to ESA these people will be few and far between
in the example here the person on care allownace migh find when they apply for IS they might get told to apply for JSA if they have no other reason for applying for IS other than partner cant get ESA expert advise as normal is needed to get through this minefield

So what is Universal Credit. is it a new benefit ?

[davewhit]

So what is Universal Credit. is it a new benefit ?

universal credit will be coming into replace many benefits for example
Universal credit (UC) is intended to be a new benefit which will replace:

•child tax credit
•housing benefit
•income related employment and support allowance
•income based jobseekers allowance
•income support
•parts of the social fund
•working tax credit


it will not replace

Universal credit does not include:

•attendance allowance
•bereavement benefits
•carer's allowance
•child benefit
•contributory employment and support allowance
•contributory jobseeker’s allowance
•council tax benefit
•disability living allowance
•industrial injuries disablement benefit
•maternity allowance
•parts of the social fund
•pension credit
•personal independence payment
•statutory maternity pay
•statutory sick pay
•war pensions

see here

http://www.disabilityalliance.org/f55.htm

and here

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/policy/welfare...versal-credit/

[Carneucopia]

Starvinho - you have nothing to lose by making the IS claim as a couple in your name. I can't see any problem - and they can only say no if there is something I'm missing. BUT I wouldn't necessarily cancel your partners' ESA appeal either. Two reasons. It might still have an effect on your IS claim, and a successful appeal could also act as a safety net if your partner does happen to have any problem with the change to PIP next year.

[Duncan]

Hi,

My partner recieves DLA in the highest rate for care and mobility and is currently in the appeals process for ESA after recieving 0 points at the medical. She also recieved Income Support until recently when the ESA people cancelled in it light of the medical results.

I recieve Carer's Allowance and have recently been informed I am entitled to Income Support. What I want to know is can I apply for Income Support and add my partner onto my claim and just cancel the ESA appeal. I've worked it out and we would get basically the same amount of benefits either way but it just seems like less hassle being on Income Support rather than ESA.

Neither of us work either by the way.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thank you.

Yes you can claim Income Support as a Carer and your wife will be added to your claim.

[Starvinho]

Thank you for all the advice, I have been on the phone today to IC and they seem to think it's the best option for us as a couple to make a claim in my name. My only concern is that because my partner is severely disabled will they eventually try and switch us over to ESA, in which case the whole thing is pointless and we may as well see the ESA appeal through?

Another question I have is what benefit am I entitled to on my own whilst my partner goes through the ESA appeal process, she is currently recieving the the basic ESA allowance and I recieve only my Carer's Allowance. Honestly I am so confused at the moment with everything, I have an appointment with my welfare officer on Wednesday so hopefully she can help my partner and I with our concerns.

Thanks again.