Help please as i'm unsure

marcus6

Hi all, it's been a long time since i have been in here as my life took a number of turns around 6 years ago, 

Anyway if you can help that would be great, i have been on ESA for a long time now in the support group, well i got married last year but my wife is from the Philippines and i have only just managed to get her a spouse visa to join me here in the UK, what i would like to know before i go phoning ESA up and letting them know my wife has now moved in,

will this Trigger UC? or will they just put her on my ESA claim even though she can't claim public funds?? as i could really do without the stress of all that right now. I know i have to let them know but just looking for heads up in what you think they will do, i'm thinking they will change me over to UC? your thoughts!! and is UC that bad? or is it better than ESA


Any input would be great, Thanks

elsien

Why would they add her to your claim when she’s not entitled to any benefits? Will your claim not just stay as it is now? 

Rubyroobs

What type of ESA do you claim - is it Income related or contributions based ? is your wife planning to work here?

peteuk

Im not sure about triggering the UC claim, but Id ask myself what’s the worst outcome?

As advised on Gov.uk any changes must be reported - including if someone new lives with you.   So if you do move your wife in (and congrates on the marriage and in obtaining a Visa) then you are meant to report this.

If you do and it leads to a UC claim then thats what it does?  Someone with better understanding will comment on if it does or does not trigger a change to UC and hopefully transitional period (if any)

But if you dont and then they find out it may lead to a recalculation and possibly an overpayment, or even a possible fraud investigation.  

So I would look at one of the benefits calculators, see what you are entitled on UC (someone will also correct me if I am wrong but…) you can claim ESA and UC at the same time, but your UC will be reduced due to the ESA. 

Have you looked at PIP? 

Good luck 

calcotti

If you are on income based ESA are you getting a Severe Disability Premium (if you are also getting PIP)?

marcus6

peteuk said:

Im not sure about triggering the UC claim, but Id ask myself what’s the worst outcome?

As advised on Gov.uk any changes must be reported - including if someone new lives with you.   So if you do move your wife in (and congrates on the marriage and in obtaining a Visa) then you are meant to report this.

If you do and it leads to a UC claim then thats what it does?  Someone with better understanding will comment on if it does or does not trigger a change to UC and hopefully transitional period (if any)

But if you dont and then they find out it may lead to a recalculation and possibly an overpayment, or even a possible fraud investigation.  

So I would look at one of the benefits calculators, see what you are entitled on UC (someone will also correct me if I am wrong but…) you can claim ESA and UC at the same time, but your UC will be reduced due to the ESA. 

Have you looked at PIP? 

Good luck 

yea i know i have to tell them!!, it hadn't even crossed my mind not to, i just wanted to know if it will trigger UC then i can kinda be ready for it when they say that i'll have to claim UC now that's all, just can do without the stress of it all that's all, kind of hoping someone would know so it puts my mind at rest,

yea i get PIP both at Higher rate!! got an on going award back in 2016

marcus6

Rubyroobs said:

What type of ESA do you claim - is it Income related or contributions based ? is your wife planning to work here?

i'm on income related

marcus6

calcotti said:

If you are on income based ESA are you getting a Severe Disability Premium (if you are also getting PIP)?

i get disability income guarantee that's all as part of my ESA i'm on legacy ESA

calcotti

Adding a partner to income based ESA does not 'trigger' a change to UC.

If you have been living alone and no one is receiving a benefit for looking after you then you will have been entitled to Severe Disability Premium in your ESA. When you have your partner living with you then you will no longer entitled to SDP.

If your partner works then the earnings will be deducted from the ESA (less a disregard of £20/week). We would be likely to be better off on UC.

If she works for more than 24 hours/week your income based ESA would stop. Is any of your ESA contribution based.

HillStreetBlues

@marcus6
You missed answering the important questions by calcotti & Rubyroobs
What type of ESA do you claim - is it Income related or contributions based ?
Do you get Severe Disability Premium (SDP)?

marcus6

HillStreetBlues said:

@marcus6
You missed answering the important questions by calcotti & Rubyroobs
What type of ESA do you claim - is it Income related or contributions based ?
Do you get Severe Disability Premium (SDP)?

i'm on income related, but how would i know if i'm also on contributions based as well?? and no i don't get SDP as my son lives with me he' 27