can hubby claim ESA too?

beccibaxter_2

HI
I have been in receipt of ESA in the support group for two years now due to various medical conditions. My husband is my full time carer although he cannot claim carers allowance as I only get low rate DLA (high rate mobility).
In August last year my husband woke at 6am literally screaming in pain. Now my hubby is a real mans man and never shows when he is in pain so I knew it was serious. I called an ambulance and to cut a long story short it turns out he has two bulging discs in his spine/neck. He has seen specialists and consultants etc who told him he was not to sit/stand for too long in one position and he isn't too lift anything heavier than 2 pints of milk.
He did all the housework as I cant due to limited mobility and as my fulltime carer he is really struggling.
Now we have three kids aged 16, 14 and 12 so they help out a lot with cooking and housework and whatnot.


Anyway, I get ESA as I said and he is part of my claim.
I was wondering whether he should claim on his own due to his health issues? Is that even possible?
I know my Dad claims incapacity benefit as he had a stroke several years ago that left him paralyzed down the right side of his body and 8 years later my Mum was diagnosed with polymyalgia rhuematica (sp?) and osteoporosis. So she has a separate claim for ESA in the support group. However they are both over 60.
Hubby is 42 and I am 36. I asked at the local job centre and they were not helpful at all. They just looked at me like I was something they had stepped in and told me to go to entitledto.com.
I did but it just said to consider applying for PIP.


Basically what I want to know is is my husband able to make his own claim or will they say no as he is mentioned on my claim?
Sorry for waffling on, its the fibrofog.

pmlindyloo

For ESA you have to claim as a couple.

However, the calculator was right. Your husband should apply for PIP.

If he is awarded this then it could make a difference to the amount of money you receive as it may alter the premiums you receive. It is a little complicated but here is a link for you to look at:

http://www.ageuk.org.uk/Documents/EN-GB/Factsheets/FS81_Calculating_income-related_Employment_and_Support_Allowance_fcs.pdf?dtrk=true

As regards help in the house you may wish to contact Adult Social Services and ask for an assessment to see if there is any help they can provide.

nannytone_2

it has to be a joint claim for income related ESA, but as with incapacity benefit, if the claims are conts based, then both would make their own claim