Partner automatically move to UC when moving in and lose everything?

TELLIT01

Corbula said:

Thank you.

Her ESA is fully income based.
So she would keep her PIP and DLA. but lose her ESA and gain Carers Allowance. 

She wouldn't qualify for UC because of my savings and probably salary. I have 20k in an S&S ISA which I'm using for later in life and retirement which I'm considering moving into a SIPP so that wouldn't come into it. I also have 15k in a cash ISA but I'm going to be using a few thousand of this on my new house. My salary is 29k.

So she will be losing quite a chunk with losing the ESA? What about the new style ESA, isn't that just based on her rather than the household? 

This is not a criticism of the OP, simply an observation.  If claiming income related benefits, the claimants can't decide which savings or capital are considered by DWP.  Many people do aim to put money away for later life and retirement but in the type of situation outlined by the OP, the assets of both partners in a relationship will be included in any entitlement calculation.

calcotti

Corbula said: So she would have to make a new claim for ESA? Which would be looked at as a household and count me into it which would likely mean she won't get anything. 

She can't make a new ESA claim. She would have to report a change and the existing claim will be recalculated taking you into account which result in nil entitlement.

Corbula said:Her ESA is fully income based.

So she would keep her PIP and DLA. but lose her ESA and gain Carers Allowance. 

You said she was already getting CA so she will not gain it.

Corbula said: So she will be losing quite a chunk with losing the ESA? 

Yes she will lose the ESA.

Corbula said:What about the new style ESA, isn't that just based on her rather than the household? 

Yes, but it is based on NI contribution in 2019-20 and 2020-21. If she didn't work in those years she will not qualify. 

Corbula

TELLIT01 said:

Corbula said:

Thank you.

Her ESA is fully income based.
So she would keep her PIP and DLA. but lose her ESA and gain Carers Allowance. 

She wouldn't qualify for UC because of my savings and probably salary. I have 20k in an S&S ISA which I'm using for later in life and retirement which I'm considering moving into a SIPP so that wouldn't come into it. I also have 15k in a cash ISA but I'm going to be using a few thousand of this on my new house. My salary is 29k.

So she will be losing quite a chunk with losing the ESA? What about the new style ESA, isn't that just based on her rather than the household? 

This is not a criticism of the OP, simply an observation.  If claiming income related benefits, the claimants can't decide which savings or capital are considered by DWP.  Many people do aim to put money away for later life and retirement but in the type of situation outlined by the OP, the assets of both partners in a relationship will be included in any entitlement calculation.

I think I'm going to move that into a SIPP as it seems the logical thing to do as it's for my retirement and seems like that will grow the most for then. 

Corbula

calcotti said:

Corbula said: So she would have to make a new claim for ESA? Which would be looked at as a household and count me into it which would likely mean she won't get anything. 

She can't make a new ESA claim. She would have to report a change and the existing claim will be recalculated taking you into account which result in nil entitlement.

Corbula said:Her ESA is fully income based.

So she would keep her PIP and DLA. but lose her ESA and gain Carers Allowance. 

You said she was already getting CA so she will not gain it.

Corbula said: So she will be losing quite a chunk with losing the ESA? 

Yes she will lose the ESA.

Corbula said:What about the new style ESA, isn't that just based on her rather than the household? 

Yes, but it is based on NI contribution in 2019-20 and 2020-21. If she didn't work in those years she will not qualify. 

So she would have PIP, DLA, CA. I just looked at the entitled calculator and seems she would get UC additionally to these even with my salary as long as my savings were below 16k which they would be once I transfer to my SIPP. 

calcotti

Corbula said:

calcotti said:

Corbula said: So she would have to make a new claim for ESA? Which would be looked at as a household and count me into it which would likely mean she won't get anything. 

She can't make a new ESA claim. She would have to report a change and the existing claim will be recalculated taking you into account which result in nil entitlement.

Corbula said:Her ESA is fully income based.

So she would keep her PIP and DLA. but lose her ESA and gain Carers Allowance. 

You said she was already getting CA so she will not gain it.

Corbula said: So she will be losing quite a chunk with losing the ESA? 

Yes she will lose the ESA.

Corbula said:What about the new style ESA, isn't that just based on her rather than the household? 

Yes, but it is based on NI contribution in 2019-20 and 2020-21. If she didn't work in those years she will not qualify. 

So she would have PIP, DLA, CA. I just looked at the entitled calculator and seems she would get UC additionally to these even with my salary as long as my savings were below 16k which they would be once I transfer to my SIPP. 

If that is the case it would be sensible (other things aside) for her not to move in with you until you have sorted out your capital.

She should then claim UC before moving in with you. Her ESA will stop two weeks after the UC is claimed but her Support Group ESA status will be transferred to UC which means that she will get the LCWRA element included in the calculation. When she moves in with you she would declare a change and you will have to claim UC alongside her claim. If you will be helping look after the child for 35 hours/week she could give up the CA claim and you would be able to claim the carer element of UC.

If she doesn't claim UC first and moves in, the ESA stops, and then when you claim UC she will have to go through a new Work Capability process and will not get the LCWRA element, even if awarded, until the fourth month.

Corbula

calcotti said:

Corbula said:

calcotti said:

Corbula said: So she would have to make a new claim for ESA? Which would be looked at as a household and count me into it which would likely mean she won't get anything. 

She can't make a new ESA claim. She would have to report a change and the existing claim will be recalculated taking you into account which result in nil entitlement.

Corbula said:Her ESA is fully income based.

So she would keep her PIP and DLA. but lose her ESA and gain Carers Allowance. 

You said she was already getting CA so she will not gain it.

Corbula said: So she will be losing quite a chunk with losing the ESA? 

Yes she will lose the ESA.

Corbula said:What about the new style ESA, isn't that just based on her rather than the household? 

Yes, but it is based on NI contribution in 2019-20 and 2020-21. If she didn't work in those years she will not qualify. 

So she would have PIP, DLA, CA. I just looked at the entitled calculator and seems she would get UC additionally to these even with my salary as long as my savings were below 16k which they would be once I transfer to my SIPP. 

If that is the case it would be sensible (other things aside) for her not to move in with you until you have sorted out your capital.

She should then claim UC before moving in with you. Her ESA will stop two weeks after the UC is claimed but her Support Group ESA status will be transferred to UC which means that she will get the LCWRA element included in the calculation. When she moves in with you she would declare a change and you will have to claim UC alongside her claim. If you will be helping look after the child for 35 hours/week she could give up the CA claim and you would be able to claim the carer element of UC.

If she doesn't claim UC first and moves in, the ESA stops, and then when you claim UC she will have to go through a new Work Capability process and will not get the LCWRA element, even if awarded, until the fourth month.

That is most helpful, thank you! 

Just one question, why would I need to claim UC alongside her? I would never get it as I work. 

She gets CA for looking after her mum and dad, but as I work I wouldn't be able to look after anyone for 35hrs a week. 

poppy12345

Corbula said:

calcotti said:

Corbula said:

calcotti said:

Corbula said: So she would have to make a new claim for ESA? Which would be looked at as a household and count me into it which would likely mean she won't get anything. 

She can't make a new ESA claim. She would have to report a change and the existing claim will be recalculated taking you into account which result in nil entitlement.

Corbula said:Her ESA is fully income based.

So she would keep her PIP and DLA. but lose her ESA and gain Carers Allowance. 

You said she was already getting CA so she will not gain it.

Corbula said: So she will be losing quite a chunk with losing the ESA? 

Yes she will lose the ESA.

Corbula said:What about the new style ESA, isn't that just based on her rather than the household? 

Yes, but it is based on NI contribution in 2019-20 and 2020-21. If she didn't work in those years she will not qualify. 

So she would have PIP, DLA, CA. I just looked at the entitled calculator and seems she would get UC additionally to these even with my salary as long as my savings were below 16k which they would be once I transfer to my SIPP. 

If that is the case it would be sensible (other things aside) for her not to move in with you until you have sorted out your capital.

She should then claim UC before moving in with you. Her ESA will stop two weeks after the UC is claimed but her Support Group ESA status will be transferred to UC which means that she will get the LCWRA element included in the calculation. When she moves in with you she would declare a change and you will have to claim UC alongside her claim. If you will be helping look after the child for 35 hours/week she could give up the CA claim and you would be able to claim the carer element of UC.

If she doesn't claim UC first and moves in, the ESA stops, and then when you claim UC she will have to go through a new Work Capability process and will not get the LCWRA element, even if awarded, until the fourth month.

Just one question, why would I need to claim UC alongside her? I would never get it as I work. 

As previously advised. UC is a means tested benefit and if you live together you claim as a couple and both your circumstances will be taken into consideration.

When you use the benefits calculator you will need to put both your details into it, including your earnings. Try this one. https://www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator/Intro/Home?cid=1e3fa978-96ee-41e2-800c-4086f689064a

If you have savings of more than £16,000 then you'll both be excluded from claiming.

freesha

Corbula said:

Just one question, why would I need to claim UC alongside her? I would never get it as I work. 

Because you are a couple, so it is a joint claim. Your earnings will be taken into account, as is right.

calcotti

Corbula said: She gets CA for looking after her mum and dad, but as I work I wouldn't be able to look after anyone for 35hrs a week. 

Sorry, I inferred that the CA was for looking after a child with DLA as you mentioned she is getting DLA (note to self - shouldn't make assumptions!). Who is the DLA for - is it the sister?

People who work full time can still provide 35 hours of care because people need looking after in the evenings, at night time and at weekends.

poppy12345

Also to point out that if you do claim UC with her then she won't be able to claim the Carers element at the same time as LCWRA element and she'll only be entitled to the LCWRA element.