Help! Partner claims ESA but I have been sent a letter re work?

Tigerlilly2013

Hi I hope someone can help me.

My partner was receiving higher rate DLA indefinitly before the changes came into place to move hime over to ESA. He applied for ESA and as part of that has to include the household details and claim for me to. He hasn't had a medical yet but his doctor is going to send a letter instead of the interview which they have accepted.

Now nothing further has been heard officially about the ESA, what conditions etc but I have received a letter today stating I have an meeting with the job centre to discuss how to get me back to work.

It says as he claims for me I must attend, it is titled 'Work Focused interview for Partners'.

I am his carer which is fulltime, we have young children, one of which is at nursery half days and I am currently doing a university degree as being a carer doesn't allow for much else.

The other issue is I was under the impression that due to my circumstances and that he is the claimant not me that there was no requirement for me to be looking for work. I guess I must be a bit blinkered to what ESA is and what is required but even if they are trying to force me to work, how will I find work that is 2 hours a day whilst my youngest is at nursery and be able to afford someone to care for my partner?

Does anyone know what I can do, I am very worried as I don't have a clue about any of this at all

Mojisola

Are you claiming Carer's Allowance? If not, no-one will know that you are a carer and not just unemployed.

Tigerlilly2013

I'm not claiming anything, it is his claim rather than mine, they required details of everyone in the house and as his partner my name had to be put on the form, I am not sure if carer was put down or not, I haven't even seen the forms I was not required to sign anything. Also I don't see any of this money as it is his claim. I am sure that they are aware I am doing a university course and I would think carer would have been listed as this was the same as when he was on dla.

I don't really know how to approach them, or what to say. I'm pretty shocked.

busy_mom_2

If he needs you to provide care for him and assessed accordingly then you need to apply for carers allowance.

If not then you need to attend the interview and start looking at some part time work.

Personally I never understand who a sick person should be able to claim for a well person, if the person warrants the care then they need to claim carers allowance if not then that well person should be made to look for work.

Tigerlilly2013

He has informed me that he applied stating the carers element so they are aware I am his carer.

busy_mom_2

So you are getting carers? If so you can still look for part time work and there is a set amount you are eligible to earn before any benefits are lost.
The interview isn't to hassle you into work simply a reminder of your options, no-one will force you into anything.

Benefits change and people moan when they aren't kept informed, hence partners interviews.

Cpt.Scarlet

It sounds like your husband is receiving income related ESA which is claimed as a couple, even though the claim is in his name.

Your attending WFIs is a requirement of his continuing to receive the full rate of the benefit, if you don't then his payments can be sanctioned.

Being a carer does not excuse you from attending a WFI, although it should mean that you are not required to participate in work related activity.

If your husband is receiving DLA medium or higher rate care then you can clain Carers Allowance, which should increase your weekly income.

RAS

DId he tell them that you are a university student????

Are you full-time? Do you get a grant/loan?

Tigerlilly2013

Thank you, he hasn't had any further information since the request for a medical examination and his doctor sent a letter to them. He has applied for the carers allowance but if he is being paid it as part of his claim is unknown as he hasn't had any paper work through regarding their decision.

Thank you, unfortunately until my son starts school fulltime instead of the few hours a day he does in nursery I am very restricted of the hours I can work. I would love to be working, earn enough for him to have a carer and my children to have childcare and earn enough to live on but circumstances don't allow for it due to his health and not being able to be left on his own. This is why I am doing a degree, to improve my prospects for when my son is in fulltime school hours I may be able to do just that.

Reading the letter it is worder that work-focused interview is to help me consider going back to work, which is a reasonable request assuming it is not a forced decision which ignores the factors which are hindering this at the moment.

Thank you for your help.

Tigerlilly2013

Yes they are fully aware I am a university student too, it is a part time university course from home.

jfdi

It'll be what I think of as a 'Touch-base' interview - exactly as you've now realised. BUT - you MUST attend (or rearrange if it's a bad time) or benefits could be affected.

Is there anything the JCP could do to help you - training, CV etc. No compulsion in it at all - & you might find you get some useful info!

Don't forget to take the letter your OH will need to sign about it, or they're not allowed to discuss anything at all to do with him with you (unless he accompanies you, of course!)