Partner working, can I claim ESA?

latakiahaze

I apologise if a similar question has been asked elsewhere but I am new to this. Mine is a simple question (or it should be) that I cannot find the answer to anywhere.
My partner works and earns 196 pounds per week, no tax credits. I do not work due to illness. We have no other income or savings and live in private rented accomodation. Is it worth me claiming income-based ESA (employment and support allowance)? Would I be likely to receive anything, and if so, would this be deducted from any housing/ct allowance?
We have applied for both Housing & CT benefit, but are still waiting to hear after a lengthy delay.
Thankyou.

P.s. Is there a simple figure that the law says a couple over 25 need to live on to make this calculation easier?

McKneff

I believe there is a figure but it is a lot less than your OH earns.

Are you permanently ill, will you be able to work in the future.

Could you ring the housing benefit people up and chase your claim, hopefully, it will be backdated.

pmlindyloo

If your partner is working 30 hours a week then you could put in a joint claim for working tax credits.

nannytone_2

only if the working partner is aged over 25

Caz3121

latakiahaze wrote: »

Is it worth me claiming income-based ESA (employment and support allowance)? Would I be likely to receive anything

As your partners income is over £111 you would not receive any payment

pmlindyloo

nannytone wrote: »

only if the working partner is aged over 25

Quite true but assumed they were since the OP asked the question about the amount needed to live on for a couple over 25.

latakiahaze

Thanks for all the advice. I suspected it was not worth claiming ESA just to be put through a barrage of daft interviews with no possible upside.
Just to clarify, my illness is not likely to improve in the near future and the delay with council tax benefit has now been over 4 months. Luckily my local MP is proactive and has taken an interest, though it amazes me one has to go to these lengths

epitome

So you have not worked at all since April 2009? and therefore ESA Conts is not an option...

latakiahaze

epitome wrote: »

So you have not worked at all since April 2009? and therefore ESA Conts is not an option...

I thought there was an income based ESA?

epitome

There is, and an ESA Conts for people who have worked....... question is, when did you last work and how long had you been working for?

princessdon

latakiahaze wrote: »

I thought there was an income based ESA?

There is and you are not entitled due to income