Can acouple claim income support if 1 is a carer and 1 mum to baby?

mum-to-4_2

Hi there, need some advice, basically I am looking to move in with my long term partner soon who currently lives at home with is parents. My partner has social/learning problems. When he was a child it was thought he had autism but his parents didn't push on it and he never received a firm diagnosis. Now as an adult he gets by in life but he struggles socially and people take him the wrong way (he comes across as rude sometimes but he really isn't he just doesn't understand social ques and things). Currently he is not employed and signing on is a nightmare, he gets very anxious and his communication skills then get worse, he knows what he wants to say in his head but cant seem to get it out, he hates talking to people ont he phone and finds it hard to understand things.

I am currently 5 mths pregnant and have had numerous complications so have had to give up work for now (I was only part time due to childcare), i also have to have a c-section so will need 6 weeks to recover after birth and some time with my new baby but ultimately i want to return to work.

My dilemma is that if partner and I move in together which is what we would like, what if he cannot handle the stress that the requirements of signing on bring and he has his money stopped which will then mean my rent help being stopped etc and me getting in a big mess. I cannot sign at present due to my health complications in pregnancy but I am also a carer to my daughter who has special needs.

My question is, if he were to take over the role as carer and I was to claim income support due to my health and then having a child under 5 until im back on my feet a few mths after birth would that work? or would the job centre say it only takes 1 of us to care for my daughter and the new baby?

I am by no means trying to get a free ride, I have worked most of my life or studied but im very concerned that i will end up in a mess if our money gets stopped due to partner not being able to cope with the anxiety and stress of signing on, he is able to work but his learning needs mean he is often taken the wrong way or doesn't understand things and then gets embarassed and the jobcentre keep putting alot of pressure on him without taking this into account and give him things to do that he simply cannot do then stop his money when he doesn't do them. So for the period between now and when the baby is a few months old when i return to work (so about 6 mths in total) would it be possible to claim income support as a couple with him as my daughters carer (carers allowance) and me as ill health and then having a newborn?

Indie_Kid

As long as he carers for your daughter for 35 hours a week or more, it should be fine.

mum-to-4_2

yes he is great with her, prob as they are so alike lol I get carers allowance for her care at the minute but if we change it over to him so that he is able to get income support and i still claim income support once the baby comes as i will have a child under 5, will they not say it only takes 1 person to be at home doing the caring role and therefore I wouldn't be able to get income support as well? Just wanted a few months with baby before I go back to work

Indie_Kid

You'd make a joint income support claim.

xylophone

I don't know about the benefits angle but in your current situation (and his) is your moving in together a wise idea?

Looking after a special needs child can be an onerous responsibility - will your partner find it very stressful?

You are currently not in the best of health so that he will have various household responsibilities that he may not have at the moment (he has parental support)?

After your c-section you may need support yourself and a new baby can be very demanding - is he up to it?

Is the intention that he takes over as "house husband" when you return to work? Will he and the child(ren) be socially isolated?

sh1981

mum-to-4 wrote: »

Hi there, need some advice, basically I am looking to move in with my long term partner soon who currently lives at home with is parents. My partner has social/learning problems. When he was a child it was thought he had autism but his parents didn't push on it and he never received a firm diagnosis. Now as an adult he gets by in life but he struggles socially and people take him the wrong way (he comes across as rude sometimes but he really isn't he just doesn't understand social ques and things). Currently he is not employed and signing on is a nightmare, he gets very anxious and his communication skills then get worse, he knows what he wants to say in his head but cant seem to get it out, he hates talking to people ont he phone and finds it hard to understand things.

I am currently 5 mths pregnant and have had numerous complications so have had to give up work for now (I was only part time due to childcare), i also have to have a c-section so will need 6 weeks to recover after birth and some time with my new baby but ultimately i want to return to work.

My dilemma is that if partner and I move in together which is what we would like, what if he cannot handle the stress that the requirements of signing on bring and he has his money stopped which will then mean my rent help being stopped etc and me getting in a big mess. I cannot sign at present due to my health complications in pregnancy but I am also a carer to my daughter who has special needs.

My question is, if he were to take over the role as carer and I was to claim income support due to my health and then having a child under 5 until im back on my feet a few mths after birth would that work? or would the job centre say it only takes 1 of us to care for my daughter and the new baby?

I am by no means trying to get a free ride, I have worked most of my life or studied but im very concerned that i will end up in a mess if our money gets stopped due to partner not being able to cope with the anxiety and stress of signing on, he is able to work but his learning needs mean he is often taken the wrong way or doesn't understand things and then gets embarassed and the jobcentre keep putting alot of pressure on him without taking this into account and give him things to do that he simply cannot do then stop his money when he doesn't do them. So for the period between now and when the baby is a few months old when i return to work (so about 6 mths in total) would it be possible to claim income support as a couple with him as my daughters carer (carers allowance) and me as ill health and then having a newborn?

Your partner would not have to handle any stress, it is you who would be claiming income support. However they will interview him, if he is earning, they will reduce your IS. He WILL have to go to interviews, otherwise your IS WILL stop.

If you are currently on IS, it will stop regardless until your situation is analysed, i.e if your partner is working or not.

You can claim CA, only one person can claim it for a person, either you or him.

mikey_bach

OP if you are claiming Carers Allowance and not working then claim Income Support straight away...
If your partner moves in then you can add him to your claim as you have condition of entitlement, if he is claiming Income Based Job Seekers Allowance he would need to close his claim or carry on signing just for his stamp to be credited.
He may be asked to attend work focused interviews whilst on your I.S claim but if he didn't attend then your joint I.S claim would be sanctioned by £14.48 a week....
You could stay on I.S until you returned to work or hopefully he found work.
You would claim CTC and CHB for your children and maybe Housing and Council Tax benefits