Benefits Advice

Nina196157

Hello, I am new to the forum and was looking for some advice.

I am 57 years of age and live with my husband. I retired from work with a small pension of £380 per month and wondered if I would be able to claim contribution based benefits? I have worked all my life, and worked for 27 years in my last job that I retired early due to ill health. My husband is unemployed and does not receive any benefits as I always kept him off my wages. He is due to receive his old age pension next year but can not find any suitable work. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Darksparkle

Are you looking for work? Or still unable to work due to ill health?

What do you mean by suitable work for your husband?

If looking for work then JSA. If not looking for work due to ill health then ESA. The links explain why different types/what to claim if in UC area.

https://www.gov.uk/jobseekers-allowance/what-type-you-get
https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/types-of-esa

Also depending on what the health issues are: https://www.gov.uk/pip

Nina196157

I am not looking for work due to ill health. My husband has always done manual work but is unable to do so now. He went for disability benefit but failed by 2% so just waiting on him to go on to old age pension next year. As I stated earlier I receive a small pension. Will this affect me claiming for ESA?

NeilCr

How long ago since you left work?

If in the last two years you may well be okay for Contributory or "new style" ESA depending on whether or not you are in a full UC area

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/employment-and-support-allowance/before-you-apply-for-esa/eligiblility-for-esa/

To check if you are in a UC area pop your postcode in here

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/before-you-apply/Check-if-youre-eligible-for-Universal-Credit/

I assume your husband is under 65. He could try again for PIP, if so - perhaps with help with form filling from CAB/similar. Over 65 he will only be able to claim AA which has no mobility component.

Nina196157

I left work a year ago.

Nina196157

Sorry yes my husband is 65 next year.

Nina196157

He filled out the form with CAB around 4 years ago and he did not qualify.

NeilCr

Has your husband's condition worsened in the last 4 years?. If so, consider applying for PIP again

Have you read the link I supplied about qualifying for ESA?. On the face of it you may qualify. Dependent on whether or not you are in a UC area then you may be able to claim Cont based or New Style ESA - fundamentally the same thing.

Darksparkle

Could your husband look for any other work if not able to do manual work?

Alice_Holt

If your NI contributions entitle you to CB ESA or New Style ESA (did you read Neil's links?); here is another link:
https://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/employment-and-support-allowance-contribution-based

- Then your pension will effect CB - ESA as follows:
Any weekly pension in excess of £85 will be taken into account.
Any amount in excess of the £85 will be deducted at a rate of 50 pence in the pound from your weekly ESA payments.

You might as well apply for CB (or new style) ESA, and see if your NI contributions are sufficient.

You will be on the assessment phase for 13 weeks, and then have a WCA which determines if you are fit for work; or if not which group you fall into.
During the assessment phase you will need to supply fit notes.
Often the DWP take much longer than 13 weeks to arrange the WCA.
http://esa-assessment.support/docs/All_About_ESA.pdf

bigbill

Income Based ESA should be available or UC?