Low ESA amount

Alicenoot

Hey guys, my partner has been jumping through hoops applying for ESA for a month or so, and we’ve been running up debt from family just to pay bills ( I’m unemployed, we have no income)

We got a letter through today saying he’ll only be getting £25 a week??? this honestly can’t be right, right? I feel like they think we have other income, it really isn’t feasible to live on £100 a month when that wouldn’t even cover our electricity bill!! Does anyone have any advice on what to do or who to contact, I’m kinda freaking out over this

Alice_Holt

Does the letter give an explanation or detail the make up of the £25?
Is he claiming income based or contribution based ESA?
Are you claiming JSA?
Is your partner under 25?

What health conditions does he have - is a PIP claim a possibility?
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/before-claiming/check-you-are-eligible/

Are you claiming HB and Council Tax reduction?

ESA contact line is 0800 169 0310 - ring them and tell us what they say.

Couple rate of ESA is £114.85 pw (over 25)

pmlindyloo

Please write and tell us exactly what the letter says and any calculations they have made.

It could be that this is part payment as he received some other income after he applied (SSP/wages?) and he will start getting more money from a certain date.

Have you been added onto his claim? i.e are you living together?

Alicenoot

There!!!8217;s a sheet attached that says:

Living expenses for you and your partner £114.85

Other income for your household. £89.35

I don!!!8217;t know where they got the £89.35 from? I!!!8217;m not claiming any benefits, this would be our only income.

I am on his claim. He claimed SSP briefly before leaving work, but that was in January. I!!!8217;ll give them a call and see what they say

pmlindyloo

Alicenoot wrote: »

There!!!8217;s a sheet attached that says:

Living expenses for you and your partner £114.85

Other income for your household. £89.35

I don!!!8217;t know where they got the £89.35 from? I!!!8217;m not claiming any benefits, this would be our only income.

I am on his claim. He claimed SSP briefly before leaving work, but that was in January. I!!!8217;ll give them a call and see what they say

The £89.35 is the amount of SSP so it seems that they think he is still receiving SSP.

Are you sure that he isn't? Has he actually left his job?