My JSA (CB) is about to run out

veryfedupmum

Hello again,
I could really use some help please - the help I've received here before was fantastic.

My husband is disabled and on permanent ESA (CB) in the support group. He also gets DLA and Housing Benefit.

I gave up my job a year ago as my mother in law was very ill, still living at home, and I was being called out of work 2 or 3 times a week to respond to her emergency button (and frequently take her to hospital). At the time, my company was in the process of being moved to a new owner and I was responsible for sorting out the integration to the new company (and expecting us all to be made redundant shortly after). At the same time, my teenage son, who has severe ADHD, was due in court, and my daughter was living at home with us with her baby and toddler. My husband is blind and so requires my care too.

After fainting in the street one lunchtime at work, I had to take the decision to give up my job - I now realize this was stupid, of course, but at the time couldn't see the wood for the trees - I should have 'gone sick', or - well, I don't know.

My mother in law died after a couple of months, leaving us some money which meant we could move my daughter into her own place (private rental); my son's situation was dealt with, and we lived on the money until it ran out.

I applied for Jobseeker's Allowance (CB) and have been receiving this, and despite many hours each day and many applications, I have not been able to find any work, either full or part time. I am 50 years old.

My JSA (CB) runs out next month and the Jobcentre tell me that if I haven't found work by then, I will have to make a joint claim with my husband - but I don't understand what we will be claiming for? Is it ESA? Income Support?

Whichever it will be, what happens to me now? Will I still have to go to the Jobcentre every two weeks to sign on? Will I have to do 'work placements' or whatever?

I've worked hard all my life, didn't dream it would be so difficult to get a job with my experience (obviously wasn't living in the real world!), but not knowing what happens next if I don't find work is worrying the life out of me.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks.

DomRavioli

Hi OP,

You would be added onto your husband's claim for ESA, getting a couple's rate instead of a single rate when your CB JSA runs out.

There's some good info on the gov.uk website, and you can speak to someone at the job centre for more clarification as to what you would have to do; I haven't been in that situation so not sure.

If you're worrying that much, give either your local job centre, or the benefits hotline (its an 0800 number so free from landlines and some mobiles - please check before calling as it can cost a small fortune on a mobile!) and they will be able to give you the correct information.

Horseunderwater

Hi OP the form you need is an ESA3. You can fill it out for your OH with him as claimant and yourself as the addee. Make sure that you include all the benefits that OH receives and make it clear that your JSA will end from x date and that day after is when they should make his ESA joint. What level of DLA care does he get? If mid or high you could claim carers and get carers premium or if low care you will get the enhanced disabilty couples rate instead. There may even be extra help with housing benefit but not sure on this bit. Try not worry - you'll get sorted.

veryfedupmum

Thank you both for your response. The Jobcentre lady did say she would give me some forms for us to complete for a joint claim. She also mentioned claiming Carers Allowance once that had been done.

I suppose what I want to know now is, will I still have to sign on every two weeks at the jobcentre if we are on the joint claim? Obviously I want to find work, but it feels like such a lot of pressure - I have to go on one of those Seetec courses next week too. Would I still have to do those things if I claim Carers Allowance?

Horseunderwater

No you do not need to seek work if you are added to his ESA claim. Signing on will be a thing of the past.
Couples joint ESA = £113.70
Enhanced disability = £22.35 (DLA Low care)
Support group element = £35.75 Total £171.80 this is min per week.
If OH gets mid/highrate care DLA -then you can claim carers allowance and get what is called the carers premium of ££34.20 as well.
You should be able to get council tax support too if you don't already get it.

veryfedupmum

Thank you Horseunderwater for your prompt response. Could you just clarify this for me (by the way, I'm sure I'm not as thick as I'm going to sound...):

Your post suggests that we will get the best part of £200 a week, plus his current DLA, plus Housing/Council Ben, and I don't have to look for a job? It seems a lot?

Horseunderwater

That's correct. I'm in similar position except I have a mortgage - which is only difference. The min he will get is £171.80 for the ESA. And no looking for a job. And as I said if he gets the mid or high care bit of DLA then there will also be the Carers Premium on top.

veryfedupmum

Thank you so much - this has really helped ease my mind. Fantastic help - so good to know people like you ready to help!!