totally confused re benefits

caris

My husband has just started claiming ESA. We have received a letter from DWP stating that he will be receiving £72.40 per week.

It says living expenses for a couple is £113.70
Other Income £96.11

It states that £62.89 is not counted so we are entitled to £17.59

But because he is entitled to contribution based ESA they will pay £72.40 a week.

We dont know how they have come to this figure and are totally confused by it all.

We have a 14 year old child for which we get CTC £62.89 per week
CSA £250 per month
Industrial Injuries £66.40 per week
Child Benefit 20.50 per week

and we have been given a 4 week run on from WTC which ceases this Friday of £30.11

Does this seem right or should we be entitled to any extra ie Income Support? Our daughter seems to think that all our "other" income is disregard income.

We have put in for HB and CT benefit but as yet not had anything back, will we be entitled to full HB with this income?

Thanks in advance for any help

pmlindyloo

caris wrote: »

My husband has just started claiming ESA. We have received a letter from DWP stating that he will be receiving £72.40 per week.

It says living expenses for a couple is £113.70
Other Income £96.11Made up of Industrial Injuries Benefit and Working Tax Credits

It states that £62.89 is not counted so we are entitled to £17.59
Child Tax Credit is not counted £17.59 is the difference between what the government says you need to live on - living expenses and your other income - Industrial Injuries Benefit and working tax credit
But because he is entitled to contribution based ESA they will pay £72.40 a week.

We dont know how they have come to this figure and are totally confused by it all.

We have a 14 year old child for which we get CTC £62.89 per week
CSA £250 per month
Industrial Injuries £66.40 per week
Child Benefit 20.50 per week

and we have been given a 4 week run on from WTC which ceases this Friday of £30.11

Does this seem right or should we be entitled to any extra ie Income Support? Our daughter seems to think that all our "other" income is disregard income.

We have put in for HB and CT benefit but as yet not had anything back, will we be entitled to full HB with this income?

Thanks in advance for any help

Basically they have assessed you as a couple for income based ESA but because of your other income (industrial Injuries Benefit and Working Tax credits) you would only be entitled to £17.59 per week.

As your OH is entitled to contribution based ESA because of his NI contributions they have given him this £72.40. Contribution based is not means tested so the other income is taken into account.

Unfortunately because of your other income you are not entitled to income based ESA which allows for a couple rate whereas contribution based ESA does not - it can only be a single claim.

Hope this makes sense

caris

pmlindyloo thanks for your reply but am still a little confused.

Does this mean that when the WTC stops on Friday the income will go up automatically to compensate this, and also should I be making a cliaim for Income Support for myself and child?

pmlindyloo

caris wrote: »

pmlindyloo thanks for your reply but am still a little confused.

Does this mean that when the WTC stops on Friday the income will go up automatically to compensate this, and also should I be making a cliaim for Income Support for myself and child?

Even without the WTC the Industrial Injuries Benefit will still count as income so you would not be entitled to the income based ESA.

With the contribution based ESA and the Industrial Injuries Benefit you are still over what the government says you need to live on as a couple. (£113.76)

You should still be entitled to Child Tax credits, HB and CT reduction so make sure you apply for them/let them know each change of circumstances (ie now and when the WTC ends for HB/CT purposes.)

You are not entitled to Income Support as you are not a single parent. As a couple your claim is for ESA.