If partner gets job while I'm on ESA...?

xRaindrops

I am on the support rate of ESA (couples rate) with my husband currently, due to the fact that I have a panic disorder. If my husband were to get a job (full time or part time) would it affect my benefits? E.g. Would I have to go on contribution based ESA? I can't work right now so JSA isn't an option. I don't have enough national insurance contributions as I have only worked 3 months in total due to my disorder (I'm 21). I am just worried that his wage will not cover our expenses if ESA was taken away (and we budget a lot as it is). Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks

Horseunderwater

Your ESA would only go if he got a job. Does he feel he needs to do this? If he is having major panic attacks about going to work or just out and about, then perhaps he needs to get some help with that via his GP who can refer him to a community Psychriatric Nurse and or a Psychiatrist - it may take a while as there are waiting lists, but that would be a start. And in the meantime the GP could perhaps prescribe some tablets that will help him control the attacks a bit. Other than this stay as you are for now. No sense in forcing him to seek work when it is unecessary.

Torry_Quine

xRaindrops wrote: »

I am on support allowance of ESA (couples rate) with my husband currently, due to having a panic disorder. If my husband were to get a job (full time or part time) would it affect my benefits? E.g. Would I have to go on contribution based ESA? I can't work right now so JSA isn't an option. I don't have enough national insurance contributions as I have only worked 3 months in total due to my disorder (I'm 21). I am just worried that his wage will not cover our expenses if ESA was taken away (and we budget a lot as it is). Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks

As you are on income based ESA then yes you will lose it when your husband gets a job paying over £111 per week. You can't switch to contribution based as you don't have the contributions.

xRaindrops

Horseunderwater wrote: »

Your ESA would only go if he got a job. Does he feel he needs to do this? If he is having major panic attacks about going to work or just out and about, then perhaps he needs to get some help with that via his GP who can refer him to a community Psychriatric Nurse and or a Psychiatrist - it may take a while as there are waiting lists, but that would be a start. And in the meantime the GP could perhaps prescribe some tablets that will help him control the attacks a bit. Other than this stay as you are for now. No sense in forcing him to seek work when it is unecessary.

Sorry I think I laid my question out wrong - I have the panic, he's well and able to work

HB58

xRaindrops, will you confirm whether it is you or your husband who is suffering from panic disorder?

xRaindrops

HB58 wrote: »

xRaindrops, will you confirm whether it is you or your husband who is suffering from panic disorder?

It's me, I've edited the original post too to clarify that. Thanks

mikey_bach

If your partner gets a job it will effect your ESA Claim ...If he gets a job over twenty fours a week then this will close your claim completely as that is classed as full time for a partner.

If he works under twenty four then you may be entitled to ESA

His wages will be taken into account after a disregard of £10.
If say he earns £100 then they would take £90 off your claim

bodmil

xRaindrops wrote: »

I have the panic

Sorry just had to have a giggle at how you've phrased it, can't offer any help but good luck.

xRaindrops

mikey_bach wrote: »

If your partner gets a job it will effect your ESA Claim ...If he gets a job over twenty fours a week then this will close your claim completely as that is classed as full time for a partner.

If he works under twenty four then you may be entitled to ESA

His wages will be taken into account after a disregard of £10.
If say he earns £100 then they would take £90 off your claim

Thanks, that's really helpful information! It's a shame because its a job he really likes the sound of and yet we have worked out how much we would have at the end of the month, tax deducted, and it would be just enough to cover our basic expenses (12k pa).

Torry_Quine

He would also have the pride of earning his own wage which is worth a lot.

FBaby

Please don't give up on a chance of a job because in the short term you will be worse of. Surely you don't intend to be restricted by panic all your life? You are so young? Are you seeking all the help you need to tackle this and get back to a normal life?

Your husband needs to get back to work? The longer he doesn't work, the harder it will become for him to get a decent job. Same as you, but in his case, he doesn't have his health to restrict him.

Sort out your budget and find other things to cut, seek urgent help for your disorder, tel your husband to take the job and look at getting better yourself, so that hopefully, in a couple of years time, you will both be in employment enjoying the money you earn, rather than still struggling on benefits.