ESA as a couple entitlement

xylophone

I was under the impression that the OP had a deferred defined benefit pension and was under scheme NRA - she could not be required to draw the pension in these circumstances, nor could it be regarded as notional income.

My question related to whether she could apply to the Scheme for early, unreduced payment on grounds of ill health.

However, it would appear that the OP plans a return to employment in due course.

NeilCr

TELLIT01 wrote: »

It's not what I need, it's information people like Citizens Advice will need to give you accurate information. Things like any other benefits you or your partner are receiving, savings / capital, pensions which you could claim, these are just those which come to mind immediately. I raise the issue of pensions because DWP can take potential pension into account as 'notional income' and take it off Income Related benefit. I fully understand you not wanting to claim a pension now but DWP see things differently.
The system can seem horribly unfair at times, and seem to be heavily weighted against those who have paid into it all their working life. As an example, my brother ended up in a situation where his income (because of notional income from pension) was literally less than £2 per week over the upper limit for assistance. He got no help with rent, council tax etc. His next door neighbour got everything paid so was several hundred pounds per month better off than my brother.

This, in spades

I do advice work - face to face, email and phone. For a complex situation, like this, you need a one to one interaction where questions can be asked, scenarios discussed etc. It is amazing just how different the story can turn out to be (nobody's fault) when you talk to a client in person after an initial email contact

borkid

zarozinia wrote: »

I have great difficulty getting out, a trip to the CAB would cost me nearly £20 in taxis which I really cannot afford

Some places have volunteers who will drive you to hospital appointments etc. Maybe you could see if there is one that could help.

TELLIT01

xylophone wrote: »

I was under the impression that the OP had a deferred defined benefit pension and was under scheme NRA - she could not be required to draw the pension in these circumstances, nor could it be regarded as notional income.

My question related to whether she could apply to the Scheme for early, unreduced payment on grounds of ill health.

However, it would appear that the OP plans a return to employment in due course.

It's entirely possible that you are correct in your understanding. Equally, you could be totally wrong because not all information is available to us here. This is precisely why we are stressing the importance of obtaining 1-2-1 assistance. We're not trying to be difficult, simply trying to avoid giving the OP the wrong answers leading to a wrong decision.

zarozinia_2

I do indeed plan to return to work. I started my own business 18 months ago as a photographer but could only manage 1 x 4 hours teaching session a week/fortnight from home which made me so ill that I couldnt do anything for days or the whole week. I mainly did this twice a month as permitted work. But I worked so little I never broke even on my set up costs. I fully intend to restart this once I am well enough, but Ive been unable to do it for 8 or 9 months now. I am hopeful that I will recover enough to work 2 or 3 times a week which in my own business would be enough to be completely off benefits altogether.
Even whilst very ill, I try to keep occupied as I would go plain mad if I cant ever work again. I am currently learning how to make jewellery for a 2nd business .