No ESA help since 2013 & Savings run out - What next?

manhattan

I am currently on Contribution based ESA (Stamp paid only no benefit), so i have been living off £0 since late 2013 and my savings have now run out.

I have £0 income although my wife works part time 30 hours pw earning around £900pm, tax credits £86 per month (paying back overpayment) supporting one teenager and paying our own rent and council tax etc (no help)

We are starting to get behind with the bills, what options do we have?

I am unable to work due to health problems and my poor wife has had to 'support me' for nearly a year and now things are not good at home due to this and it could possibly come to where we have to separate

Indie_Kid

Do you receive DLA or PIP?

manhattan

Indie_Kid wrote: »

Do you receive DLA or PIP?

No, i receive nothing else, £0 income

pmlindyloo

Have you applied for housing benefit and council tax reduction?

Put your details into here

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/benefits-check

and see if you are eligible.

Since you are paying back a tax credits overpayment the results may look a bit 'skewed' to you (working tax credits count as income regarding HB and CT benefit and your arrears won't be taken into account)

And/or

If you are not entitled then you could see if tax credits would readjust your payments.

Head over to the Debtfree wannabe board for advice on raising income/reducing expenditure.

Don't know the details of your disability but is there any work you could do - part time? From home?

TELLIT01

Have you tried to claim DLA or PIP? If not you should investigate the possibilities.

pmlindyloo

keitht53 wrote: »

Have you tried to claim DLA or PIP? If not you should investigate the possibilities.

You can't claim DLA any more. It has to be PIP.

rogerblack

manhattan wrote: »

I am unable to work due to health problems and my poor wife has had to 'support me' for nearly a year and now things are not good at home due to this and it could possibly come to where we have to separate

This is how it works. (assuming her earnings are >~150/week or so)
If you separate, you will be entitled to ESA-IR again.

Housing_Benefit_Officer

Why haven't you applied for help towards your rent or Council Tax?