Cohabiting benefits stop worry

nightofjoy

Hi.

I've been on ESA for a number of years due to long term mental health reasons.

I was living alone for a long time but recently my girlfriend and I decided to move in together.

We found a place and moved in last month. Now I knew my previous claim for housing benefit would have to stop due to me cohabiting, so I contacted the council benefits dept and gave my reasons, updated all my details to the new flat and ended my claim, all done by the book.

I then went looking for a change of address form for my ESA on the .gov website, which I thought I'd found, so I filled it out but no confirmation came through.

So worried that my details weren't up to date, I just rang the JCP and explained i needed to update my details with the new address.

So halfway through the form - to my horror, the guy says "You do realise they'll stop your claim?" To which I obviously said "NO??"

How can this be? Sure, my girlfriend works full time, but that doesn't mean she earns enough to support two people. Surely there must be something I can do? I mean we're struggling as it is with me only having limited income from my benefits to put towards rent - I'm unable to pay half as it is, but if and when they completely stop my claim, it is without any shadow of a doubt going to mean we can't continue living together and we'll both have to leave the home we just set up together.

Is there anything I can do?

Thanks.

Torry_Quine

From what you say your ESA is income based so yes it would stop if living with a working partner. You should have informed them when you move in together so you may have a small.overpayment.

nightofjoy

Thanks. So will there be anything I can then claim instead of ESA to try to make ends meet, and do you have any ideas of a figure?

This a real worry....

Torry_Quine

As our are a couple any income based benefits will depend on household income. You may be able to get help with rent and or council tax but that will depend on income. You need to check that out.

nightofjoy

OK, thanks....

TELLIT01

Assuming you are on Income Based ESA, if your partner works more than 24 hours per week you will cease to have any entitlement to ESA. If she works less than 24 hours per week, her income is taken into account against any ESA entitlement.
Does your partner have any entitlement to Working Tax Credits?

Topcat1982

If your gf is on a low income you may be entitled to help with rent. Use one of the calculators like turntous to find out. You can then make a joint claim for HB.

Alice_Holt

Would you be eligible for PIP?
http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip/pip-self-test

Could your partner claim WTC?
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/in-work-or-looking-for-work/benefits-and-tax-credits-for-people-in-work/#h-who-can-get-working-tax-credit