Getting Married Query

wildcaz

Hi.
I'm 53, and terminally ill, not quite sure how long I've got, but probably less than a year. I'm getting ESA (support group £125 a week) , PIP, and severe disability premium. I'm single and have always lived alone, but I have a boyfriend who lives about an hour away. We see one another about once a week.

As I have very little in the way of close family, we are contemplating getting married, so that I have a next of kin, and to simplify the inheritance situation (not to mention reducing inheritance tax). We have no intention of moving in together. We've lived apart quite happily for 20 years, but I think if we shared a home we'd be divorced within a week.

So far my dealings with DWP have been very straightforward, I have a DS1500 which has meant that I've had to answer very few questions. I'm aware that getting married will reduce my benefits, but it's difficult to know by how much. Anybody have any idea? It's unlikely to stop me from marrying, but it might affect the timescale.

NYM

I've no idea on the Benefits situation unfortunately, but just wanted to wish you a very happy marriage no matter how short it sadly may be.

Afraid_of_Kittens

You will be treated as a couple for benefit purposes and your partners income will be taken into account when calculating your entitlement. If he is working your ESA will cease.

tboo

Many moons ago during a training course with the DWP the trainer said a marraige certificate doesn't make you a couple until they determine you are.

This may have been her point of view or the area she worked for or standard within the DWP,
so
OP wait and see what the say

sheramber

Have you tried the benefits calculator

https://benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk/AboutYou

Mojisola

wildcaz wrote: »

As I have very little in the way of close family, we are contemplating getting married, so that I have a next of kin

You can nominate him as your next of kin now.

Make sure his details are on your GP and hospital records.

You can also carry a NOK card -
https://www.royalfree.nhs.uk/patients-visitors/advice-and-support/next-of-kin/
http://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/files.royalfree.nhs.uk/next_of_kin002.pdf

WillowCat

You have to be living in the same household to make a joint (IR) ESA claim. (HMRC have different rules for tax credits).

Paragraph 43006 explains that a couple is "two people who are married to, or civil partners of, each other and are members of the same household, or two people who are not married to, or civil partners of, each other but are LTAMC."

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/658295/dmgch43.pdf

So so long as you don't live together you should be able to retain your benefits. You must report the change of circumstances though, and be prepared for your decision to be investigated.

Alice_Holt

Is the ESA income based or contribution based?

If it's contribution-based then the £125 will not be affected, but you may lose the £62 pw SDP top up.
The PIP will not be affected.

Can I ask if the illness is Cancer.
If so, then Macmillan have Benefit Caseworkers - https://www.macmillan.org.uk/information-and-support/organising/benefits-and-financial-support

As will as helping with inheritance and IHT the marriage may enable you to pass on any pension entitlement, rather than it being lost.
https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/help/support/benefits-entitlements/benefits-social-care-system/money#pensions

Best wishes.

TELLIT01

Afraid_of_Kittens wrote: »

You will be treated as a couple for benefit purposes and your partners income will be taken into account when calculating your entitlement. If he is working your ESA will cease.

Very simplistic statement. The OP hasn't said whether they are entitled to Conts based ESA. If so, they will continue to receive ESA even with a partner, and their partner's income will not be considered.

poppy12345

Alice_Holt wrote: »

Is the ESA income based or contribution based?

If it's contribution-based then the £125 will not be affected, but you may lose the £62 pw SDP top up.
The PIP will not be affected.



Best wishes.

Contribution based is £109.65 per week. The £125 you mentioned Alice will have the EDP included, which is £15.90. If the OP is claiming CB then they will keep £109.65 and may lose the rest.

Alice_Holt

poppy12345 wrote: »

Contribution based is £109.65 per week. The £125 you mentioned Alice will have the EDP included, which is £15.90. If the OP is claiming CB then they will keep £109.65 and may lose the rest.

Of course, yes. My mistake.