ESA serious problem, no idea what to do.

qw3rt7

Hi, really need some advise please.
My partner suffers from depression and serious anxiety attacks that make getting a job vary difficult. Although she realizes that working has always helped here depresion, in her last job she worked with some particularly nasty colleges that destroyed her rather fragile self confidence and as such hasnt worked for over a year since.
As i had been earning enough to support us (about 26K) this has not been a problem, and i felt with the help of her doctor she has been getting better.
Anyway, long story short i no longer earn anyway near that much, my only income is about 30 hour a week in a friends pub, earning just under 10k before tax, meaning our essential outgoings are about £200 pm more than our income, not good.
So, we applied for benefits, primarily HB, CTB and ESA. The housing benefit and council tax are dependent on her getting ESA apparently, which has been turned down because:
1 She hasnt paid enough nat insurance (because she hasnt worked for so long) to claim that type of ESA
2 I work over 24hrs a week so she cant claim income based ESA

We are now looking at a very real possibility of being evicted when my available credit runs out, and have no idea what to do. It is so frustrating, the claim lady said if my partner had been claiming benefit from the start there would be no problem as they would have paid her Nat insurance, SO FOR SAVING THE GOVERNMENT £1500 OR SO, WE ARE LEFT HIGH AND DRY :mad:

I really dont know where to turn now, im trying to get a better job, but its not easy atm. Any help would be gratefully appreciated.

cw18

Have you tried working tax credit? I believe couples who work 30 hours between them (and where you're aged over 25) can get this if they're on a low income.

bestpud

It won't help in the short term but could your partner try some voluntary work to help re-build her confidence?

SomeBozo

Can you get some evening bar work?

I know they are the one industry near Xmas who are desperate!

Bozo

cw18

I would imagine the OP already works evenings......

qw3rt7 wrote: »

my only income is about 30 hour a week in a friends pub

MIMI123_2

As Long As You Are Earning More A Week Than What You Would Getting Benefits As A Couple (£97;35 Approx) You Will Not Get Esa. You Are Best Applying For Tax Credits Then If You Are In Council Property Phoning The Benefits Advice Line To Explain You Are In Debt With Your Rent They Will Pay Up To 13 Weeks From A Fund They Have. Once You Get Your Tax Credits You Should Be Able To Claim Some Sort Of Hb/ct Payment.( I Am Afraid Thats What You Get For Working. ) If You Dont Work You Would Get All Your Council Tax Housing Benefit Paid For You.

SomeBozo

cw18 wrote: »

I would imagine the OP already works evenings......

Ok, day work.

Bozo

dmg24

cw18 wrote: »

Have you tried working tax credit? I believe couples who work 30 hours between them (and where you're aged over 25) can get this if they're on a low income.

At least one partner must work at least thirty hours, the number of hours cannot be shared between them.

cw18

I knew there was a thirty hour rule in their somewhere :rotfl:

But the OP says the current bar work is 30 hours/week, so that should be fine

qw3rt7

thanks everyone, will contact tax credits, the entitledto.co.uk website does seem to think i'll get something, will keep you posted.