We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.

This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Income support

I am confused and really looking for some answers if possible.

currently on ESA (income) but will loose that when i get married.

OH and me are looking at our incomes and i am starting to worry what if i can't get a job, just as i thought i could start looking i have relapse and spend the next 4 weeks with major fatigue beyond belief.

I understand that i can't go onto ESA (contributions) as you can't swap from income to cont.

what about income support, i have looked at direct gov, and tbh my brain isnt sinking the information in, or isnt clear (maybe just me)
OH works 35 hours per week but i can't see where if anywhere it states the amount of income coming into the household (when we are married)

I only want to claim for me. If this was something i could consider.. but i know that OH's income will come into this factor of availablity

can someone shed more light into qualifying for IS.
GNU
Terry Pratchett
((((Ripples))))
«134567

Comments

  • Oldernotwiser
    Oldernotwiser Posts: 37,425 Forumite
    I'm afraid that you don't qualify for IS.

    "It's for people who all the following apply to:
    are between age 16 and the age they can get Pension Credit
    have a low income
    work less than 16 hours a week, depending on the amount of your wage
    aren't in full-time study (but there are some exceptions)
    don't get Jobseeker's Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance
    don't have savings above £16,000
    live in Great Britain
    You may get Income Support if you are one of the following:
    a lone parent
    on parental or paternity leave
    a carer
    a refugee learning English who arrived less than a year ago!
  • dookar
    dookar Posts: 1,654 Forumite
    Your OH works too many hours for you to claim IS. Earnings don't come into it, over 24 hours and you're not entitled
  • Mupette
    Mupette Posts: 4,599 Forumite
    ok thanks for that, i wasnt quite sure on a few things

    i know a few years ago, a friend of mine claimed IS whilst her partner worked (living together not married) but she claimed in her own right just for her, although she did have 2 small boys at the time - i think as i type this the answer is the children, doh.

    i just didnt know if i could claim in my own right.

    i still cant get around in my head why originaly i was put in esa income, when i had worked for over 2 years (part time 20 hours a week) but working for an agency continually in work prior to that for a few years, its stumped me going onto cont based.

    the NIC's confused me (still do)

    i guess i can't 'sign off' esa income and then claim esa cont?
    i'm not getting out of the i cant be bothered to work, just right now i am struggling to cope with everyday living let alone working (although if someone told me to start work monday i'd have a damn good try)
    GNU
    Terry Pratchett
    ((((Ripples))))
  • Oldernotwiser
    Oldernotwiser Posts: 37,425 Forumite
    Mupette wrote: »
    ok thanks for that, i wasnt quite sure on a few things

    i know a few years ago, a friend of mine claimed IS whilst her partner worked (living together not married) but she claimed in her own right just for her, although she did have 2 small boys at the time - i think as i type this the answer is the children, doh.

    i just didnt know if i could claim in my own right.

    It wouldn't make any difference if you had children; you don't fit the categories and, from what you've said, your friend didn't either.
  • Mupette
    Mupette Posts: 4,599 Forumite
    It wouldn't make any difference if you had children; you don't fit the categories and, from what you've said, your friend didn't either.

    oh she did, but we are going back a good 13/14 years.

    i'm not including my son in this and i know IS doen't include children now.
    He maybe in full time education for the next 2 years but he is now 16
    GNU
    Terry Pratchett
    ((((Ripples))))
  • karenx
    karenx Posts: 4,988 Forumite
    Do you live with your partner just now?
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 0 Newbie
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    edited 26 October 2011 at 6:48AM
    When you say relapse are you currently ill? You may be able claim the ESA formally known as incapacity benefit in your own right if you are not fit for work? My Son's Grandma gets this and she is Married, she had an accident at work 7 Years ago and will be on it until she retires next Year. That could be what your friend was getting IB rather than IS.
  • Oldernotwiser
    Oldernotwiser Posts: 37,425 Forumite
    Mupette wrote: »
    oh she did, but we are going back a good 13/14 years.

    i'm not including my son in this and i know IS doen't include children now.
    He maybe in full time education for the next 2 years but he is now 16

    But, when you marry or live with a partner, you're no longer a lone parent, regardless of the ages of your children.
  • Lady_gaga
    Lady_gaga Posts: 1,219 Forumite
    Mupette wrote: »
    oh she did, but we are going back a good 13/14 years.

    i'm not including my son in this and i know IS doen't include children now.
    He maybe in full time education for the next 2 years but he is now 16


    then she was commiting benefit fraud.
  • Mupette
    Mupette Posts: 4,599 Forumite
    Lady_gaga wrote: »
    then she was commiting benefit fraud.

    I'm not sure, he was on a small wage/hours and i wouldnt know too much of their financial set up, i'm dont think she is the type that would
    karenx wrote: »
    Do you live with your partner just now?
    no i dont live with my OH we won't until we are married
    When you say relapse are you currently ill? You may be able claim the ESA formally known as incapacity benefit in your own right if you are not fit for work? My Son's Grandma gets this and she is Married, she had an accident at work 7 Years ago and will be on it until she retires next Year. That could be what your friend was getting IB rather than IS.

    I'm on all the right benefits now Joanne, currently on esa (income) but i will be signing off that when i marry, was planning to do that the day before
    GNU
    Terry Pratchett
    ((((Ripples))))
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 352.1K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253.6K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 454.3K Spending & Discounts
  • 245.2K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 600.9K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 177.5K Life & Family
  • 259K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.7K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.