Refusing home visit or adaptations?
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My girlfriend is moving into my current property and is due to have an ESA assessment. Does anyone know if refusing permanent home alterations would affect an ESA assessment and entitlement? I.e. does having handrails for example actually affect your entitlement? I dont particularly want permanent fixtures in my home, but dont mind things like steps up to the bath or something to help her get out of bed. Thanks
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My girlfriend is moving into my current property and is due to have an ESA assessment. Does anyone know if refusing permanent home alterations would affect an ESA assessment and entitlement? I.e. does having handrails for example actually affect your entitlement? I dont particularly want permanent fixtures in my home, but dont mind things like steps up to the bath or something to help her get out of bed. Thanks0
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It shouldn't affect the assessment - they are based on what you need, not what you have. Of course, it's a lot harder to prove you need an adaption that you don't have and aren't going to get.
Also, if she does need adaptions and you're refusing to get them then I'd reconsider whether her moving in is in her best interests. It's your life and your relationship, of course.
Lastly, just checking you've done your research into how your income may affect her benefits. If you're working she may not be entitled to ESA at all.0 -
What would affect her ESA entitlement is your circumstances. Moving in together means you'll be a couple and if she's claiming Income Related ESA, you working will affect it.0
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My girlfriend is moving into my current property and is due to have an ESA assessment. Does anyone know if refusing permanent home alterations would affect an ESA assessment and entitlement? I.e. does having handrails for example actually affect your entitlement? I dont particularly want permanent fixtures in my home, but dont mind things like steps up to the bath or something to help her get out of bed. Thanks
No, I can't see why it would, you wouldn't need to tell them that you don't want them as you don't like the look of them.
The real thing to consider is have you really thought what it means to live with a disabled person? If she really needs them and eventually cannot get around without them, it shouldn't matter what it looks like.0 -
No of course if she needed permanent adaptations then that would be fine. Its just if she gets an over zealous assessor again who wants things putting in when she really doesn't need them.
Thankfully she receives pip as well, so we're looking at working tax credits.
It's silly how the system is set up in such a way as to disadvantage couples and make them poorer. We couldn't hope to survive on my salary alone0 -
No of course if she needed permanent adaptations then that would be fine. Its just if she gets an over zealous assessor again who wants things putting in when she really doesn't need them.
Thankfully she receives pip as well, so we're looking at working tax credits.
It's silly how the system is set up in such a way as to disadvantage couples and make them poorer. We couldn't hope to survive on my salary alone
You really need to find out your benefit entitlements when she moves in.
From the information that you give you will need to apply for Universal Credit.
Try the benefits calculator on https://www.entitledto.co.uk.
You cannot make a new claim for tax credits. You would have to claim Universal Credit. If your partner receives daily living PIP then you would be eligible for the carer's element despite your working.0 -
No of course if she needed permanent adaptations then that would be fine. Its just if she gets an over zealous assessor again who wants things putting in when she really doesn't need them.
Most sick and disabled people find they have to fight for everything - an over zealous assessor would be a rare and wonderful thing!0 -
pmlindyloo wrote: »You really need to find out your benefit entitlements when she moves in.
From the information that you give you will need to apply for Universal Credit.
Try the benefits calculator on https://www.entitledto.co.uk.
You cannot make a new claim for tax credits. You would have to claim Universal Credit. If your partner receives daily living PIP then you would be eligible for the carer's element despite your working.
I thought the carers element was means tested?
Apparently they can't force her onto universal credit?0 -
I thought the carers element was means tested?
Apparently they can't force her onto universal credit?
The Carer’s element is just part of the build up of a UC entitlement. Carer’s Allowance has an earnings limit but this does not apply to the carer element of a UC.
It’s not a case of being forced onto UC. Your earlier post refers to claiming Working Tax Credits. The point made was that a new claim for WTC is not possible. Even if you or she already get WTC as a single person as soon as you become living together you must close that claim and cannot make a new couples claim.
Unless her ESA is only contribution based moving in with you will affect her entitlement. She will have to add you to her claim and she may lose entitlement.
She is not forced to claim UC but making a joint UC claim may be your only option if you are going to be eligible to receive anything.Information I post is for England unless otherwise stated. Some rules may be different in other parts of UK.0 -
I thought the carers element was means tested?
Apparently they can't force her onto universal credit?
As you're going to be living together as a couple, if your partner is claiming Income Related ESA, if you work more than 24 hours per week then she won't be entitled to claim the ESA.
All areas are now a full UC and new claims for tax credits are not possible unless your partner is claiming a certain benefit.
What benefits does she currently claim exaclty and do you work? More information is needed to be able to help you further.0
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