Quitting work to care for partner

MSdiagnosed

So it’s a tricky situation

My partner is currently off work sick and has just applied for esa as ssp has stopped. She has put in a claim for pip as she has been diagnosed with MS which affects her greatly. I work 40 hours per week and care for her. On her worst days I help her dress and everything.
If she is awarded PIP would I be able to quit work to become her carer? Or would the job Center sanction me for quitting work?
Would we then be entitled to housing benefit and reduced council tax?
Stressed about the whole situation any advice would be really appreciated. She won’t be returning to work at all.

kingfisherblue

MSdiagnosed wrote: »

So it’s a tricky situation

My partner is currently off work sick and I had just applied for esa as ssp has stopped. She has put in a claim for pip as she has been diagnosed with MS which affects her greatly. I work 40 hours per week and care for her. On her worst days I help her dress and everything.
If she is awarded PIP would I be able to quit work to become her carer? Or would the job Center sanction me for quitting work?
Would we then be entitled to housing benefit and reduced council tax?
Stressed about the whole situation any advice would be really appreciated. She won’t be returning to work at all.

If your partner is successful in her claim for the care component of PIP, and you fulfil the criteria, you will be able to claim Carer's Allowance. You can continue to work as long as you earn no more than £120 a week. Working reduced hours might be an option. You will need to care for your partner for a minimum of 35 hours a week.


You might be able to get help with housing costs via UC. I don't know enough about it to advise. I have heard that there is often a delay for UC though, so you might want to make sure that you stock your cupboards and freezer, and save a bit of cash, before applying.

MSdiagnosed

Thanks for the quick reply and advice.
So I’m thinking
If she qualifies for pip
I hand in my notice and on that same day apply for carers allowance this should be ok ?

xylophone

https://www.mssociety.org.uk/care-and-support/financial-help/brief-guide-to-benefits#

calcotti

If she qualifies for PIP it needs to include the care component (not just a mobility component) for you to qualify as a carer.

You can apply for Carer's Allowance. If your joint income is low (and you do not have joint savings over £16,000) you can apply for Universal Credit (as a couple) and you will be treated as a carer so not required to work or look for work. You will get the carer element in the UC award. Any payment of Carer's Allowance will be deducted from the UC. You can get the carer element in UC without claiming Carer's Allowance. With UC you can continue to work reduced hours if you wish, although your earnings will reduce the UC payable there is no earnings limit.

If you do claim UC your wife will have to have a Work Capability Assessment and if found to have Limited Capability for Work and Work Related Activity extra money will be included in the UC award from the fourth month.

You can also apply for Council Tax Reduction from your local authority which will reduce your council tax liability.

Any help with rent will come through UC, it is not possible to make new claims for housing benefit in most cases.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/help-if-on-a-low-income/help-with-your-council-tax-council-tax-reduction/

Any award of PIP is ignored as income when working out the UC or CTR entitlement.

Alice_Holt

I'd suggest a visit to your local advice centre / CAB for a benefits check.

hb2

The gov. site says that reduced council tax is only appropriate if the property is larger because of the needs of the disabled person (an extra room or more space for wheelchair for example), not that it is automatically given 'just' because there is a disabled person in the home. Is that correct please?

tboo

hb2 wrote: »

The gov. site says that reduced council tax is only appropriate if the property is larger because of the needs of the disabled person (an extra room or more space for wheelchair for example), not that it is automatically given 'just' because there is a disabled person in the home. Is that correct please?

You are technically correct but it gets confusing when reductions/supports/discounts are all referred to or seemingly given the same name.
.
The reduction Calcotti is referring to is Council Tax Support issued by the local authority via the benefit section.
https://www.gov.uk/apply-council-tax-reduction


You are referring to a disabled down banding issued by the local authority via the Local Taxation section.
https://www.gov.uk/council-tax/discounts-for-disabled-people

hb2

tboo wrote: »

You are technically correct but it gets confusing when reductions/supports/discounts are all referred to or seemingly given the same name.
.
The reduction Calcotti is referring to is Council Tax Support issued by the local authority via the benefit section.
https://www.gov.uk/apply-council-tax-reduction


You are referring to a disabled down banding issued by the local authority via the Local Taxation section.
https://www.gov.uk/council-tax/discounts-for-disabled-people

Thank you for explaining that.