ESA - help please!!

pmlindyloo

At the moment you need to make a joint claim for income based ESA with your husband as the claimant.

stapeley

pip is unfortunately more based on physical ability. The people who access it are ATOS who are useless . If it is more a mental issue , don,t hold your breath on the PIP .

whattodo02

pmlindyloo wrote: »

At the moment you need to make a joint claim for income based ESA with your husband as the claimant.

Thank you, and can we do this even though he is receiving Contribution based ESA?

whattodo02

stapeley wrote: »

pip is unfortunately more based on physical ability. The people who access it are ATOS who are useless . If it is more a mental issue , don,t hold your breath on the PIP .

Ive never done anything like this before so have no clue about it. But he is unable to work (mental health have diagnosed him as clinically depressed along with extreme anxiety)
So i've no idea what we are going to do if PIP doesn't help!?

whattodo02

Its help now i need. Until PIP comes back.
(from the end of Feb) No income apart from ESA and child benefit/child tax credits - which isn't alot as they have based it on last year (when my husband and i were earning full time wages)

whattodo02

blondebubbles wrote: »

Have you gave tax credits your 13/14 estimated income? How much has it reduced by from 12/13?

i did in October when my husband stopped working.
12/13 - household £26000
13/14 - household £17500
from end of feb 14 - £0

pmlindyloo

whattodo02 wrote: »

Thank you, and can we do this even though he is receiving Contribution based ESA?

Basically there are no additions added for a partner with contribution based ESA. In order to claim for a partner you have to satisfy the low income 'rules' (which you appear to do) and claim income based ESA as a couple.

QUOTE
Contributory ESA (CESA) has no age-related additions or additions for dependants (such as your wife, husband, civil partner or child) premiums or allowances for housing costs. In order to get additions for your partner, additional premiums or housing costs you will need to also satisfy the low income test . (Disability Rights)

Just telephone them and they will guide you through the claim. It must be your husband who makes the claim.

Apply for PIP and if he is awarded it then come back for advice as to what you can claim then.

Edit: As regards tax credits telephone and explain the change of circumstances once you have changed to a joint claim for income based ESA.

whattodo02

Thank you both,

So if we do a joint claim for IB ESA - will i need to be seen to be looking for work? (as thats the only reason i'm unfortunately having to stop my self employment due to having to care for my husband more and more)?
Basically i'm trying to work out how i would be entitled to ESA if there's nothing wrong with me?
does that make sense

pmlindyloo

whattodo02 wrote: »

Thank you both,

So if we do a joint claim for IB ESA - will i need to be seen to be looking for work? (as thats the only reason i'm unfortunately having to stop my self employment due to having to care for my husband more and more)?
Basically i'm trying to work out how i would be entitled to ESA if there's nothing wrong with me?
does that make sense

Quote
53016 Partners of claimants receiving ESA are required to take part in a WFI as a condition of the claimant continuing to receive the full rate of benefit1 (see DMG 05520). However a partner who is undertaking significant long term caring responsibilities that make the prospect of work, paid or unpaid, unlikely at the present time may have their WfI deferred.

WFI = work focussed interviews.

So if you are called for a work focussed interview then just explain that you have caring responsibilities and you should not have to attend.

I quite understand your concern about claiming ESA but this is one of the many 'quirks' in the system so don't worry about it.

whattodo02

Thank you.

So to swap from Contribution based to Income based - is that an easy process, do i cancel contribution based first and then apply for joint income based?

To recieve Income based - will my husband have to go for the interviews etc straight away, how does that work?

You have all been so much more helpful that CAB have been in 3 hour and a half long sessions (each)