will we be better or worse off

lilleggs

me and my partner are thinking of moving in together.
we both receive esa and i wondered if we would be better or worse off as i can't seem to find the couples rate for esa.

tatonette

lilleggs wrote: »

me and my partner are thinking of moving in together.
we both receive esa and i wondered if we would be better or worse off as i can't seem to find the couples rate for esa.

It all depends of you are receiving it as a contributory claim or an income based one.

If contributory for both of you there will be no difference.

If it is an income based one it all depends on your ages etc. But basically a single claimant over 25 will each get £67.50 min, whereas a couple will get £105.95 min between you both.

In most if not all cases, 2 single claims will be more than a couple claim:

Single Person: Age 16-24 ________________ £53.45
Age 16-24 main phase ESA £67.50
Age 25 or over ____________ £67.50
Lone Parent: Age 16-17 ________________ £53.45
Age 18 or over ___________ £67.50
Couple: one/both under 18 (certain circs)
_______ £53.45/£67.50/£80.75/£105.95
Both 18 and over _________________________ £105.95

�� Pension age 64: __ Single £137.35 __ Couple £209.70

�� Aged 65 plus: __ Single £157.90 ____ Couple £236.80

�� Children: Birth to day before 20th birthday ____ £62.33

COMPONENTS- ESA

Work-Related Activity __ £26.75 Support ___ £32.35

PREMIUMS

�� Family ________________________________ £17.40

�� Family (Lone Parent rate) - HB + CTB _______ £22.20

�� Family (Baby addition) - HB + CTB __________ £10.50
Disability [not payable on ESA] Single______ £28.85
Couple_____ £41.10
Enhanced Disability: Single £4.05 ___ Couple £20.25

�� Enhanced Disability [child] ________________ £21.63
Severe Disability: Single: _______________ £55.30
Couple: One qualifies__ £55.30; Both qualify_ £110.60

�� Disabled Child __________________________ £53.62
Carer ___________________________________ £31.00

Pensioner Premium: applies to couples only ____ £103.75

BigAunty

Think a bit broader than just the change in benefit - factor in the savings that come from running a joint household rather than two separate.

For example, any savings in travel costs if you live in different areas, cheaper food bill, lower shared energy, telecoms, broadband & water bills, etc.

You can double check your entitlements on the Turn2us online benefit calculator which will indicate the new scenario for you. Also, download the MSE budget planner and do a 'before' and 'after' moving in scenario to see if you make significant household savings by sharing bills instead of paying two lots of them.