A Family, sickness, confused on entitlement

katepnlo

Hello

Totally confused!
I shall try and keep to facts and keep it brief.

I gave up work a year or so ago due to partner having a breakdown and my mental health going down hill. He was off for 1 year. He received ssp and company sick pay.
I didn't know anything about benefits until recently. In Jan 2018 I pit in a claim for contributions esa. I'm on assessment rate.

Partner returned to work in May 2017. Start of Feb 2018 he had to go sick due to which we now know another break down
We were called today to be told he wouldn't get company sick pay until may 2018. My partner didn't ask but I am guessing he will get Statutory sick pay??


Now my partners health has declined so much I am not convinced he will manage to go back.

I am trying to figure out what to look at claiming.

I have physical problems as well as mental health problems. I can't get a job right now as I am unable to do it physicaly or mentally. I need major surgery and won't be seen for another couple of months.

So I claim contribution based esa, assessment rate.i have just been awarded pip. In our area if you have 3 children or mire you cannot claim universal credits.

I have 3 children. One who has also just been awarded pip.

I have tried an online calculator but it has left me confused as to the best combination to claim.

It says I should claim careers for my daughter but I won't get payment because of esa. That I understand.

What confuses me is what partner should do,??!!!
He has ssp.
He could go on my esa claim, or he could claim careers for me. The calculation then mentioned income support, then it said we may still be entitled to working tax credit as he has worked for a long time and has only just stopped?!
That has left me scratching my head as to what would be best.

We have always worked. This is alien to me!

Then depending on what route we take we can then get child tax credits. Claim child benefit ( we don't have it currently as we had a comfortable income)


Really not sure what to do.

Many thanks in advance. Really appreciate any help
Kate

Alice_Holt

I would suggest you contact your local CAB / advice agency (MIND) for a benefits check.

Would you be entitled to means-tested benefits (i.e capital under £16k)?

I think (as a starter) -
Your partner claims PIP
You claim CB
You claim CTC (it's correct you can't claim UC for 3 children) - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/universal-credit-and-families-with-more-than-2-children-information-for-claimants
You daughter may be eligible for the disability element of CTC.
Can your partner claim CB ESA if SSP not payable?

katepnlo

Thank you I shall look into a benefits check.
We own our own home with a fairly small (in this day n age!) mortgage. We don't have any savings etc

Alice_Holt

So, It would be also worth looking at Council Tax reduction (from your LA).

Given the complexity of your situation I would definitely get accredited advice.
One thing to check is if you are in a UC area - https://ucpostcode.entitledto.co.uk/ucdate

TELLIT01

Alice_Holt wrote: »

Can your partner claim CB ESA if SSP not payable?

If the partner was off sick for a year and then only returned to work for 8 months it's unlikely they would have enough NI contributions to qualify. It is worth checking though.

katepnlo

Ahh I didn't think of that Tellit01.
I think he should get Statutory sick pay as it's been a year since he stopped getting it.
So if he gets ssp he won't get any esa. How about income support?
(If we claim careers)
Is there any benefit to claiming income support compared to Esa?

bigbill

I would be interested in the advice given by any advice agency to see if it is the same as I am thinking?

Partner:
Income Support
Carers Allowance
Full Child Tax Credits
Full Council Tax Support
PIP worth a try

You:
Carers Allowance

What ever you do do not add him to your ESA

katepnlo

Thank you x

Why should I most definitely not add him to my esa I'd uou don't mind me asking?

bigbill

He will get far more from Income Support with you in his claim, than you would get from ESA with him in your claim.

Alice_Holt

It says I should claim carers allowance for my daughter but I won't get payment because of esa.

However, if you are eligible (as a household) for means-tested benefits (and are not in a UC area) you can receive a c.£35pw carers premium on your ESA as you have an underlying entitlement to CA.

Some info on SSP:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/work/rights-at-work/sick-pay/check-if-youre-entitled-to-sick-pay/

katepnlo

Thank you.
In regards to underlying entitlement to CA and esa.
Would I just call esa and tell them that or do I need to physicaly claim careers foe my daughter and then tell them?

After hours of researching yesterday, my mind is leaning towards what Bigbill has said.
I keep seeing things online about esa being stopped and having to fight for months to get it back.
Can my partner claim careers foe me whilst he is getting ssp and then apply for a claim of income support? (I'm guessing I could cancel my cb esa claim?)

Many thanks to you all. I really appreciate your time. It does help x
Kate