2013 - Combined Benefits/Rates

lookingforanswers123

Hi Everyone,

I am currently caring for my partner full time, but have been doing so with claiming all of the benefits that I/we are entitled to.

I was hoping that some people on here would be able to help me with following questions about combining benefits and the rates that they would pay:

• My partner currently claims ESA (£100.15 p.w.), but she has been advised by her advisor at her local Job Centre Plus to apply for DLA/PIP as she believes that she will get the middle rate. If this is the case, is the DLA/PIP payment seperate to ESA or does it get combined into one? If it is combined, does anyone know the rates for 2013?

• If the DLA/PIP is approved, that will then allow me to claim Income Support and Carer's Allowance. I know that these 2 get put together to make one payment, can anyone tell me what the current combined rate for this is?

Any help that anyone can give,would be greatfully received.


Thanks,
Iain

pmlindyloo

lookingforanswers123 wrote: »

Hi Everyone,

I am currently caring for my partner full time, but have been doing so with claiming all of the benefits that I/we are entitled to.

I was hoping that some people on here would be able to help me with following questions about combining benefits and the rates that they would pay:

• My partner currently claims ESA (£100.15 p.w.), but she has been advised by her advisor at her local Job Centre Plus to apply for DLA/PIP as she believes that she will get the middle rate. If this is the case, is the DLA/PIP payment seperate to ESA or does it get combined into one? If it is combined, does anyone know the rates for 2013?

• If the DLA/PIP is approved, that will then allow me to claim Income Support and Carer's Allowance. I know that these 2 get put together to make one payment, can anyone tell me what the current combined rate for this is?

Any help that anyone can give,would be greatfully received.



The PIP payment is separate to the ESA.

I think if you put your details into the benefit calculator here:

http://www.turn2us.org.uk/benefits_search.aspx you can check that you are getting all the benefits that you are entitled to at the moment and then put them in again as if you are claiming Carer's Allowance and then it will show you the 'top up' income support.

This is a little complicated as if your partner is awarded PIP then there will be disability premiums to be added to your other benefits.

Mmmm, personally I should apply for the PIP. If you get some help from CAB with completing the form then you could also ask them about your CA, Income Support and the effect of PIP on other benefits.

If your partner is on ESA (the WRAG group?) have you been added to her claim?

nannytone_2

so you live together or seperately?

Horseunderwater

DLA no longer exists for new claimants aged 16-64 so your OH will have to claim PIP. See this link: https://www.gov.uk/pip/what-youll-get

Does your wife get income related ESA or contribution based as this will make a difference to your income as well. If income related then you would not get income support top up, but would be able to claim a top up as her partner as part of a couple claim and I think you may have to be on IR to get any disability premiums like EDP or SDP added to the ESA payment. You can still claim carers allowance but would only get £33.30/week, due to the way the payments are worked out. Lots of different scenarios to think about.

lookingforanswers123

Hi,

pmlindyloo - Thank you for the link, I am having a look at that right now. Also, thanks for you other advice. Yes, she is in the WRAG group, but I have not been added to her claim - I didn't know that I could be. I will certainly look into that too.

nannytone - no, we don't live together. A few miles away, but she stays at mine a few nights a week as it helps with her issues. Because of the few miles, we are actually under different councils,would that make any difference to any claims?

Horseunderwater - To be 100% honest, I'm not sure which one she gets,I'll have to look into that further. Thanks for the information.

The reason I asked the original question is that I am having to try and calculate how much money we would be entitled to per month. If our entitlements are not enough to cover the amounts needed for me to be able to care for her then I am going to have to return to work and we will have to try and find an alternative for my partner.

This is going to be the very last resort as I do not want to dump her in any more troubles than she is already in.

Thanks again for your input, it is much appreciated.

Iain

pmlindyloo

lookingforanswers123 wrote: »

Hi,

pmlindyloo - Thank you for the link, I am having a look at that right now. Also, thanks for you other advice. Yes, she is in the WRAG group, but I have not been added to her claim - I didn't know that I could be. I will certainly look into that too.

nannytone - no, we don't live together. A few miles away, but she stays at mine a few nights a week as it helps with her issues. Because of the few miles, we are actually under different councils,would that make any difference to any claims?

Horseunderwater - To be 100% honest, I'm not sure which one she gets,I'll have to look into that further. Thanks for the information.

The reason I asked the original question is that I am having to try and calculate how much money we would be entitled to per month. If our entitlements are not enough to cover the amounts needed for me to be able to care for her then I am going to have to return to work and we will have to try and find an alternative for my partner.

This is going to be the very last resort as I do not want to dump her in any more troubles than she is already in.

Thanks again for your input, it is much appreciated.

Iain

If you don't live together then you cannot be added to her ESA claim. What are you living on at the moment if you are not working? Savings? or are you claiming JSA?