Mixed age couple

corrigan.m

Here goes I’ve going round in circles this past year  Myself and partner were on ESA well over 20 years also pip and DLA  I turned 66 last year my partner lost ESA because of me ! He lost £600 a month and told to apply for UC it was so degrading for him he had to send in sick notes every month for 6 months or more then to go through a Video claim it was horrendous for him He eventually was put on LCWRA still no money as we are paying the 1 payment we received back to them every month we get statement saying we are paying recovery money  £77- 40 And told I have to keep him off my state pension I don’t think it’s fair on him to stop his ESA because of me would be grateful for any input 

poppy12345

Too late for the ESA now but just curious who was the main claimant of that?

For the UC because it's means tested then yes you need to claim as a couple. Your state pension will be deducted in full, as well as any other income you receive.

Does your partners disability benefit include either mid/high rate care DLA or PIP daily living? If so then does your UC include the carers element? Do you rent or own your home?

calcotti

All income based benefits are based on joint finances for couples. Your joint entitlement now takes into account your State Pension.

corrigan.m

When my partner came to live with me I let DWP know  he had moved in they put our money together I didn’t realise at the time how it would effect our money ! My partner has high rate in both elements of DLA No we don’t have carers element on UC As I get high element for both on PIP yes  we own our house .

Rubyroobs

corrigan.m said:

When my partner came to live with me I let DWP know  he had moved in they put our money together I didn’t realise at the time how it would effect our money ! My partner has high rate in both elements of DLA No we don’t have carers element on UC As I get high element for both on PIP yes  we own our house .

If you care for him for 35 hours or more a week then you should report yourself as his carer and the carers element ( worth around £163 a month) should be added to your Uc claim. If his ESA was contributions based or part contributions based then that could have continued but would have been deducted from any Uc claim anyway.
You do not need to be claiming carers allowance to claim UC carers element.

poppy12345

corrigan.m said:

When my partner came to live with me I let DWP know  he had moved in they put our money together I didn’t realise at the time how it would effect our money ! My partner has high rate in both elements of DLA No we don’t have carers element on UC As I get high element for both on PIP yes  we own our house .

If you were the main claimant of your ESA then it was correct to stop once you reached state pension age. If you report being his carer then the carers element being added to your claim should mean you'll be entitled to some UC. Carers element is £168.81/month.

You need to report a change of circumstances and report caring for him.

corrigan.m

How can you get carers if we are both on full DLA and PIP and LCWRA ! 

poppy12345

corrigan.m said:

How can you get carers if we are both on full DLA and PIP and LCWRA ! 

It's not carers allowance you claim, it's carers element of UC. If your partner is claiming the LCWRA element then you can claim the carers element.

You can be a carer as well as claim a disability benefit. Being a carer doesn't mean you need to do physical caring duties. I claim PIP myself and also claim Carers allowance for my daughter. I don't do anything physical for her because she can do all that herself. She needs help and support in other ways.

Alice_Holt

corrigan.m said:

How can you get [UC] carers [element} if we are both on full DLA and PIP and LCWRA ! 

     https://www.turn2us.org.uk/Benefit-guides/Universal-Credit/Additional-Elements-of-Universal-Credit

     Are you receiving the LCWRA element ? 
     If not, you can claim the UC carers element as advised.

     Why do you think you can't claim it?

calcotti

corrigan.m said:

How can you get carers if we are both on full DLA and PIP and LCWRA ! 

You can - lot's of people with health conditions are still able to care for each other. For UC one partner in a couple can get LCWRA and one could get the carer element (but the same person cannot get both LCWRA and carer).

corrigan.m

I understand now my partner is 4 years younger than me on LCWRA so he can’t claim for me I’m on state pension and was told I couldn’t claim for him as I’m the one retired I would like to thank you all for helping me