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Will I lose my benefit???

Hi there

Need some advice! I am currently receiving ESA due to suffering from anxiety/depression. I also get HB and Child Tax Credits as I have a little boy of 1. My current partner and I have discussed living together but I am worried that I am going to lose all my income due to his earnings? If I was fit and healthy mentally to go out into the workplace and bring my own income in I would but I am now in a dilemma of what to do :(
Please help!

Comments

  • princessdon
    princessdon Posts: 6,902 Forumite
    The love V money is age old.

    If you want to put benefits ahead of a stable relationship then no one can say otherwise.

    You will lose money, but save on not paying 2 households.

    You will gain from your child having a loving 2 parent household, have a good role model who works, have help from the normal stresses of childhood raising and someone to love and share your bed.

    Or you take the extra benefits.

    Check out what you will lose and then make a decision, no one can make it for you, but you will lose some. It's not all and depends on so many things as we don't know if IR or Cont Based, whose home, his earnings etc.
  • Well what a great start to 2013 for you. :) You have a partner who is working, and wants to create a home with you and your baby. You didn't say whether it's his baby or not, but if it isn't, it's even more to his credit that he wants to be a father figure in your baby's life. :T

    And you may well find that having someone with you, helps you with your depression, and that you make progress. But of course, the only person who can decide is you. Good luck to you all.

    xx
  • mazza111
    mazza111 Posts: 6,327 Forumite
    I'm hesitant to answer newbies given the latest climate, but in a word, yes. You may lose some of your benefits.

    ESA - Depends if you are on contributions based or income based.

    HB- Most likely if your partner works. Depends on circumstances

    CB- Probably not unless your partner is on good money. Depends on circumstances

    CTC/WTC - You may be able to claim them as a joint claim with your partner. Depends on circumstances.
    4 Stones and 0 pounds or 25.4kg lighter :j
  • jizzler wrote: »
    The easiest thing to do is stay as you are then we ( tax payers ) will carry on supporting you & any other children you may wish to have in the near future. And best of all your current partner gets to keep all of the money he earns & treat you lavishly ( we dont mind honest ) there are so many people doing it in this country we are all used to it by now.


    I don't know how to take this comment?
    I had a full time job, working all the hours I could, to be struck down with what I now suffer with was the last thing I wanted. I was a tax payer too and through ill health had to unfortunately rely on what I also paid into?

    I feel I have been put in a category here, this is not the case and like I said if I could go back to where I was I would! I was only looking for some advice and appreciate the advice given by most.
  • sulkisu
    sulkisu Posts: 1,285 Forumite
    edited 8 January 2013 at 2:16PM
    Hi there

    Need some advice! I am currently receiving ESA due to suffering from anxiety/depression. I also get HB and Child Tax Credits as I have a little boy of 1. My current partner and I have discussed living together but I am worried that I am going to lose all my income due to his earnings? If I was fit and healthy mentally to go out into the workplace and bring my own income in I would but I am now in a dilemma of what to do :(
    Please help!

    Anxiety and depression can be managed and controlled. Personally I would focus on doing that - it won't take forever, IT probably won't even take very long with the medication and treatment that is now available - and once you are fit and recovered - then I would consider a big step like moving a partner in (especially as you have a young child to consider and (I assume from your post) that your partner is not his father). Your income shouldn't be a consideration when making a decision like this.
  • retepetsir
    retepetsir Posts: 1,238 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Move in with him, it's best for your and best for your baby! :)

    The Great Declutter Challenge - £876 :)

  • mazza111
    mazza111 Posts: 6,327 Forumite
    http://www.turn2us.org.uk/benefits_search.aspx


    You can put your details in here, both with and without partners income. Then you will know.

    I do feel that Stockwire may be right though.
    4 Stones and 0 pounds or 25.4kg lighter :j
  • BigAunty
    BigAunty Posts: 8,310 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    As well as identifing the 'loss' of benefits which you can identify on the Turn2us online benefit calculator, do identify the 'savings' by downloading the MSE budget planner and doing a 'before' and 'after' analysis to show how your living expenses across two households are reduced when they become one - only one set of rent, council tax, water, energy, household insurance, telecoms, etc, cheaper groceries and so on.

    Then there's the intangible benefits - greater company, security, hands on parenting/role model by the father to his son, etc. Can't be calculated on a spreadsheet though, only you know the benefits.
  • FBaby
    FBaby Posts: 18,374 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    If we assume that you are intending on getting better and back to work, surely even if you lose your benefits temporary, it will be manageable.

    If you've suffered from anxiety and depression only recently, then it is likely curable with the right help and support. Maybe it is being a single mum of a young child that contributes to it and moving in with your partner will help you with that. You might only require to work part-time and your partner could look after the baby when you work.

    In the end, whether you continue to live on your own and claim single benefits, or move in, you will be much happier tackling your depression and anxieties symptoms.
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