Moving in with partner who works - ESA, Housing Benefits, Help??

ronniepickering

Hi all,
I wondered whether someone could help.
My partner is currently receiving Income-related ESA in the support group (£500 monthly) and is in the process for applying for PIP due to mental health.
I am currently on low income however am due to start a job paying 25k.
We want to move in together to private renting as it makes logical sense due to situational factors.
I wanted to know how this would work out financially as I have read a few things suggesting he may lose his ESA if we move in together, even though I'm not really in a position to support us both. I have done online calculators and if they're correct, he will only be entitled to around £300 a month (UC + PIP)?? Meaning I won't have any money towards the tenancy.

I wondered if anyone was in a similar situation or had advice regarding this?
Thanks! :money:

Caz3121

you would be assessed for means tested benefits as a couple. Couples are expected to support each other. There will be economies in living together rather than both running separate properties.

BAFE

£25k plus £300 a month is equal to a combined gross income of £29k which is more than enough for both people to live on, even if you aren't entitled to any more money you should easily cope on this.

I have to ask the question though - whats in this relationship for you?

calcotti

If you move in together his PIP is unchanged (if awarded). I would suggest that you should not factor PIP into your calculations because the claim may not be successful.

He can keep his ESA going but must tell DWP that he is now part of a couple and you will be added to his claim and your income will be taken into account for any income based ESA. If part of his ESA is contribution based he will keep this. It is therefore very important that you find out how his ESA award is made up. Although it is described as income based it could be contribution based with an income based top up, this may be the case if your partner was previously on Incapacity Benefit or waist work prior to claiming ESA.

If the ESA is entirely income based I estimate there would be no entitlement if you have a salary of £25,000 (I have taken this is gross salary and guessed that take home will be about £20,000).

Are either of you getting housing benefit at the moment. If so you will be able to transfer the claim to a new address if it is within the same local authority. Obviously with your new salary there may be no entitlement. If neither of you are already getting HB or if you move to a new local authority you will not be able to claim HB.

Alternatively you can both claim UC, help with rent will then be included in UC. This will end his income based ESA claim but any contribution based ESA will still continue and will be taken into account when calculating whether there is a UC entitlement. Whether you qualify will depend on how much rent you are asking for help with.

You can apply for Council tax Reduction regardless of whether your partner maintains his ESA claim or opts for UC. Again there may not be any entitlement.

ronniepickering

BAFE wrote: »

£25k plus £300 a month is equal to a combined gross income of £29k which is more than enough for both people to live on, even if you aren't entitled to any more money you should easily cope on this.

I have to ask the question though - whats in this relationship for you?

Yeah I understand but we're both still young and have only been together 1 year+, I wouldn't expect either of us to be completely dependent on one another! We thought that moving in together would make financial sense but it seems that it just makes things more difficult!

It seems to me that it makes more sense for me to live in a shared house with friends and him rent his own property because that way he will have his benefits and HB! (We wouldn't want this)

BAFE

What part of the country do you live in? You could possibly buy your own house with a salary of £25k.

You'd be able to buy an even better house with an equal, who also earns £25k. Don't sell yourself short.