ESA income based claim. PLEASE dive in - any help or suggestions appreciated.

nemo183

Guys, I could really use some help as I'm going round in circles.

Situation is: I've been unable to work for the last four years due to ill health. I made a claim for Income related ESA (my contributions aren't enough to claim contribution rate ESA) which was rejected. I should have appealed but wasn't well enough to. My wife works 20 hours a week as a school lab technician and earns around £800 month.

Our energy bills alone are £250 per month and our annual council tax £2457. Clearly we are in deep trouble. An obvious solution would be to down size, but it's complicated because we have a severely disabled son and our home has been extensively adapted to meet his needs, plus he would find moving very traumatic.

I have just put in a claim for council tax benefit and another for ESA. Having read the rules it seems that even if I qualify for ESA (which I 100% will), I won't actually get any money as the government deem my wifes income enough for us to live on.

So it seems that despite being seriously ill, I qualify for no benefits at all. Can this possibly be true? Does anyone on the forum know if I'm missing something? Although ESA is a small amount of money it opens the gates to other benefits which would really help.

I've spoken to both DWP and Inland Revenue about national insurance contributions and been told two entirely different stories.

So, please, if you know something about this subject please dive in.

saving_pennies

Hello Nemo,

I can't answer your question re ESA although I'm sure someone else will be able to.

On reading your post though, I thought about PIP (used to be called DLA). You might have come across this benefit with your son. If you have care or mobility needs as a result of your ill health then you can apply. It is not a means-tested so will not be affected by your wife's wage. If you apply and get turned down, appeal. I know this can be tough when you are not feeling well. It might be worth getting support from local CAB to help you complete the forms.

Re: energy bills. Perhaps you could phone your supplier to see if they offer any discount, i.e. Broad Group of the Warm Home Discount Scheme http://www.britishgas.co.uk/warmhom!!!!!!!!!!cheme


Hope this is of some help.

Dunroamin

Assuming your disabled son is claiming the appropriate level of DLA, you could claim Carers Allowance.

pmlindyloo

Would this apply to you and your family?

https://www.gov.uk/council-tax/discounts-for-disabled-people

pmlindyloo

Dunroamin wrote: »

Assuming your disabled son is claiming the appropriate level of DLA, you could claim Carers Allowance.

If you are eligible for Carer's Allowance then you could make a joint claim for working tax credits as one of you would only have to work 16 hrs a week because one of you would b a carer.

(You should already be claiming Child Tax Credits.)

See here:

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits/keep-up-to-date/changes-affect/work-changes/changes-to-hours.htm

It would help if you could tell us what benefits you are currently claiming (particularly for your disabled child) as it would help us know what else you might be eligible for.

rogerblack

nemo183 wrote: »

I've spoken to both DWP and Inland Revenue about national insurance contributions and been told two entirely different stories.

To answer this part specifically.
Your total NI contributions are irrelevant.
What is important is if you had enough contributions (for a claim this benefit year) for the last two complete tax years before the start of the year.
So - 2010/11 and 11/12.
As you say you have been unable to work for 4 years - assuming you've not been employed and paid by a sympathetic employer for a sizeable slice of that - you do not qualify for contribution based ESA.

If you qualified for income-based ESA, you would only get your NI paid - which will go towards your pension.
(not any other benefits in most circumstances)

Others have mentioned PIP - which I would agree with.

If your disabled son is under 16, then it may be worth changing round who gets child benefit for him - this will mean you get NI credits, rather than your wife - who doesn't need them as she is working.
This won't help immediately - but does help towards building up entitlement to a pension.

As others have mentioned - what's the son getting.
If your home has been extensively adapted, you may be eligible to go down a band in council tax.

I would then advise popping over to the electricity and gas board, and asking about how to reduce usage.

Similarly for your whole budget - in the debt free section.

Do a proper budget, and see what items you can downsize or eliminate, or get cheaper.

As to basic energy saving - what temperature is the house at - and does your son actually need a high temperature, or would he be able to simply wear more clothing.

epitome

First thing you need to do is come back and answer some questions.

Does anyone get Carers allowance to care for your son? its £59 a week
What rate "DLA care" does your son get?

You could apply for DLA for yourself
You could get CA to care for your son

If you get CA they will pay your NI contributions.
If you transfer the child benefit into your name the CB will pay your NI contributions
If you do neither of these 2 things you should claim ESA nil rate to get your NI contributions paid.

Originally Posted by nemo183
I've spoken to both DWP and Inland Revenue about national insurance contributions and been told two entirely different stories.

About what? You can't get ESA C unless you have worked during April2010 - April2012 if you have not, then you won't get it.

[Deleted User]

just on one point,you seriously need to check out the £250 a month for energy,unless you are paying back some debt to a supplier thats a very high monthly bill