ESA - help please!!

whattodo02

pmlindyloo wrote: »

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.

Also, will they accept that i have 'caring responsibilities' even though i'm not entitled to carers allowance until PIP hopefully comes back?

pmlindyloo

whattodo02 wrote: »

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)

You need to approach this one step at a time (smiley face)

Your husband needs to ring Job Centre Plus and tell them the change of circumstances (that you are now out of work) and that he wants to make a joint claim for income based ESA.

Get this sorted first.

Indie_Kid

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 .

Having looked at the descriptors, there is a lot there that is based on mental health issues too.

You can't swap from contributions to income based ESA. Your husband carries on with the contributions based claim and makes a joint claim for income based. You will then be awarded the difference between the amount the law says a couple will need to live on, and the amount of contributions based ESA he currently receives.

whattodo02

Indie_Kid wrote: »

Having looked at the descriptors, there is a lot there that is based on mental health issues too.

You can't swap from contributions to income based ESA. Your husband carries on with the contributions based claim and makes a joint claim for income based. You will then be awarded the difference between the amount the law says a couple will need to live on, and the amount of contributions based ESA he currently receives.

So at the end of it, will we be on contribution based or income based when i'm not working? As a joint claim?

Indie_Kid

whattodo02 wrote: »

So at the end of it, will we be on contribution based or income based when i'm not working? As a joint claim?

If he adds you to his claim, it would be a mixture of both.