Urgent. NS ESA + maybe PIP + UC?

StatisticallyUnfortunate

My partner (working but not full time) and I (not working, disabled, previously working) have been staying with their parents due to a series of unfortunate events and trying to get back on our feet. We've been slowly working towards moving out but paperwork limbo, limited support, ignorance etc. They've asked us to be out by the end of the month (not a formal rent agreement). 

I am coming here rather than CAB because I don't fully understand what the benefit calculators are telling me, and because CAB in my area is very swamped and getting a hold of them takes weeks which I currently do not have.

My partner is employed but works 30.5 hrs/week. I've been claiming NS contributions-based ESA (support group) since my redundancy in September 2023. I have savings under £5000, they are in debt. 

I've applied for PIP with the help of an advocacy org. They advised I should be entitled to Enhanced rate for both components, and will help me challenge any other decision. I've sent the form and evidence and am waiting for a decision.

I was under the impression that we're not eligible for UC while living here due to lower costs, it seemed to be a combination of savings/housing circumstances/partner's income.

I ran the calculations again but this time adjusted my savings for where they are now (approx 3.5k) plus by deducting my partner's owed overdraft (approx 1.5k), and now I am entitled for UC.  It'd offer a small increase (around £6/week), but it'd open up the options of Housing element and hopefully enable us to move out. 

Questions:

1. Did I do the calculation correctly re: savings/owed overdraft? Or does UC care about savings, but not debt?

2. As far as I understand my NS ESA status will automatically change from contributions to income-based in September. If I am on UC, will it simply end and convert to UC?

3. Awhile ago I got a letter to do with benefits and tax, some kind of a breakdown - this was for the year I lost my job and got on ESA. I don't remember it coming with any explanation or next steps, just the table, and to be completely honest, I wasn't even sure how to interpret the information in it. Just today I saw a reference to ESA being taxable so I'm wondering if I was supposed to do or pay something. Did I mess up? If yes, how do I best fix it?

4. I am unfamiliar with the process for applying for UC and have a concern something will be misunderstood and affect my eligibility:

My mother (does not live with us or in the same city) was previously sending me £200/month 'while she can' because I pay for a digital service she shares with us, and to help make sure I can keep paying for therapy despite not working. However, her contract ended so she will no longer be able to do this aside from maybe the £37 subscription payment. 

When I enter the £200 payment under 'extra income' in calculators, I'm no longer eligible for UC, but as I said, these payments are ceasing - however will obviously historically appear on my bank statements. Will UC want to see my bank statements when I apply and will they treat these payments as ongoing? Is this something I should explain, e.g. by preparing a letter from her? I don't know how much room for context UC actually gives you or if they just take number and run with them without explanation. Obviously this would only make a difference for a month at most since she can no longer help, but we currently have less than a month to leave, so I'd rather apply sooner.

If anyone could advise me on any of this I'd greatly appreciate it. 

StatisticallyUnfortunate

I can't seem to edit the post but wanted to add: 

yes we got in touch with the council due to impending homelessness. Based on CAB's advice a few months back and based on the council's financial state however, I don't expect they will be able to do anything for us that will actually make a positive difference. If we end up running out of time, I'd rather we crash with a friend as I think it'd be safer for us than TA - this would be short term but I'm really hoping we can resolve this in the short term.

Newcad

You would be better sitting down with an advisor who can see your paperwork, but here goes:

To start with savings of £3.5k would not affect UC - it's only above £6k where they start to affect UC payments.

1. Only the savings count, you can't deduct an overdraft, credit card, ot other debt before the calculation. (However with UC you are allowed to fully pay them off to reduce the savings).

2. If you are in Support Group then your NS ESA will continue until you are assesed again - it's the Work Related Activities Group (or if you haven't been assesed into either group yet) where it ends after 12 months.

If you claim UC then the NS ESA will still be paid fortnightly but will then be deducted from your monthly UC payments. (52×weekly ESA / 12 months will be deducted from UC each month).

3. That sounds like a P60 or P60u if so it will have that number on it and It's just a statement of you tax for the past year.

4. It's fairly easy to claim UC, just answer the questions asked one by one. If something needs to be clarified it can asked/answered later.

The payments from your mother probably wouldn't have counted as income, but if they have stopped then there is nothing to be counted anyway.

The council are stretched as you say and will not help until they have to ie.when you are on the street with nowhere to go. Most temporary accomodation is not nice at all.