Question about ESA - please help!

[Boodle]

My partner is currently On ESA. It would make both her and my life somewhat easier if she could come and live with me as she is ill at the moment and finds it hard to do a lot of things. Obviously I am happy to help, not to mention the fact that it would be nice anyway. However she currently claims ESA and I have heard that if you live with your partner and they work it can affect it. I work 36 hours a week but I only earn minimum wage and I barely have enough money to support myself once I have paid all my bills and whatnot. Can anyone tell me what, if anything we would be entitled to? My monthly income is 875. (I would have put a pound sign but there doesn't seem to be one on this iPad surprisingly) Anyway if anyone can help I would be very grateful.

[Stepheninleeds]

Can someone not advise this new member? I am still learning about ESA.

What I can say is that both incomes are taken into account. It depends how much & what your partner would be earning.

[davewhit]

My partner is currently On ESA. It would make both her and my life somewhat easier if she could come and live with me as she is ill at the moment and finds it hard to do a lot of things. Obviously I am happy to help, not to mention the fact that it would be nice anyway. However she currently claims ESA and I have heard that if you live with your partner and they work it can affect it. I work 36 hours a week but I only earn minimum wage and I barely have enough money to support myself once I have paid all my bills and whatnot. Can anyone tell me what, if anything we would be entitled to? My monthly income is 875. (I would have put a pound sign but there doesn't seem to be one on this iPad surprisingly) Anyway if anyone can help I would be very grateful.

depends on type of esa she is on CB or IR ?

[Boodle]

She is on Income related. Although she is now appealing after *shock horror* she was deemed fit for work by the lovely helpful people at atos healthcare. What a laugh. She wishes she was fit for work. She cant even leave the house on her own and spends most of the day I never mind go to work. Nice of our government to make the sick and disabled pay for the bankers mistakes. I used to be proud to be part of this country. Anyway that's another point. Don't know if that changes anything although I can't imagine there is a tribunal on the planet that wouldn't overturn that decision. Anyway despite that I would still like to know the answer to my question.

[Duncan]

if she gets income based ESA, that would stop if she moved in with you. has she claimed Disability Living Allowance? That benefit would not be affected by you working.

I suggest you ring this number to find your local welfare rights advice center where the two of you can be advised on benefits like working tax credit that you could claim and Housing Benefit.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Dl1/Dire...acts/DG_195356

[Boodle]

Thought that might be the case. I tried doing what you said Duncan. She's apparently not eligible for dla as her illness is not terminal. She potentially could get better one day so until then she can whistle. Doesnt matter that its been 2 yers already.she can't get that or housing benefit if she moves in with me. Basically we would get about 30 pound a week extra tax credits and that's it, effectively making it financially impossible. Great system we have here, really encourages people to go to work. Thanks for the help anyway but it looks like she'll have to struggle on alone. Is it any real surprise that people are dying left right and centre under the current administration?

[Hera]

DLA is not only given to people who are terminal, if she needs help with her care, and has trouble with mobility she could be entitled to DLA.

[Duncan]

Thought that might be the case. I tried doing what you said Duncan. She's apparently not eligible for dla as her illness is not terminal. She potentially could get better one day so until then she can whistle. Doesnt matter that its been 2 yers already.she can't get that or housing benefit if she moves in with me. Basically we would get about 30 pound a week extra tax credits and that's it, effectively making it financially impossible. Great system we have here, really encourages people to go to work. Thanks for the help anyway but it looks like she'll have to struggle on alone. Is it any real surprise that people are dying left right and centre under the current administration?

You need to go see an adviser at your local CAB or other advice center. Use the link I put above to find your local advice office and get proper advice on your benefit rights. DLA should be applied for and taken to appeal if refused.

[Stepheninleeds]

Yes, DLA is about lack of ability, to be mobile or perform daily tasks. It might be she only able to get the lower rates, or nothing, I cannot say, she could get more. DLA is about showing what stops her functioning normally. Advise is required, & help to fill in the DLA form. I am not sure who said she was not eligible because she was not terminal, but that was wrong.