Currently receiving pip and thinking of applying for esa

bagheera93

Hi all, hoping someone can advise me before I make calls in the morning . 

I currently receive high rate pip mobility and care. Partner works, joint claim for uc. Also have a disabled child .
I’m undecided on wether to make a claim for pip. I find the info on dwp a bit confusing. 

- Am I right in thinking ESA will come off our uc claim pound for pound in the Sam way caters allowance does ? 

- And if I receive pip do I still need to give ESA fit notes from gp? 

Can anyone tell me what the bendotrs would be of claiming ESA of it comes of uc pound for pound? 

Sorry for going on it all confuses me ! 

Thankyou ! 

poppy123456

To be entitled to New style ESA you will have needed to have worked at some point during tax years 2020/21 and 2021/22. If you haven't then you won't be entitled to payments.

You are correct that it's deducted in full from any UC entitlement so there's no financial gain. The advantages to claiming it is that it's not means tested so savings/capital and pensions of up to £85/week are all ignored. You will also receive class 1 NI, where as for UC you will only receive class 3.

As you're already claiming UC have you reported your health condition and been through the work capability assessment? If so has a decision been made on that yet?

bagheera93

poppy123456 said:

To be entitled to New style ESA you will have needed to have worked at some point during tax years 2020/21 and 2021/22. If you haven't then you won't be entitled to payments.

You are correct that it's deducted in full from any UC entitlement so there's no financial gain. The advantages to claiming it is that it's not means tested so savings/capital and pensions of up to £85/week are all ignored. You will also receive class 1 NI, where as for UC you will only receive class 3.

As you're already claiming UC have you reported your health condition and been through the work capability assessment? If so has a decision been made on that yet?

Hi thanks for the information . All that makes sense Thankyou for that ! 

Your last paragraph, I’ve not heard of this. It’s never been mentioned to me ? I know I don’t have to go back to work as my partner works “just” over the hours required & I am disabled and claim pip. 

Should I contact uc about my health conditions ? 

calcotti

If you have a health condition that limits your ability to work you should definitely have told UC with Fit notes. If after being assessed you are found to have Limited Capability for Work and work Related Activity(LCWRA) your UC entitled would be higher.

Have you never told UC about your health conditions?

Given that you have PIP, does your wife declare to UC that she cares for you for 35 hours/week?

Does your child get DLA care at at least mid rate? If so is one of you declaring that you or her are looking after your child for 35 hours/week

bagheera93

calcotti said:

If you have a health condition that limits your ability to work you should definitely have told UC with Fit notes. If after being assessed you are found to have Limited Capability for Work and work Related Activity(LCWRA) your UC entitled would be higher.

Have you never told UC about your health conditions?

Given that you have PIP, does your wife declare to UC that she cares for you for 35 hours/week?

Does your child get DLA care at at least mid rate? If so is one of you declaring that you or her are looking after your child for 35 hours/week

Thanks for the reply , no I’ve never told them . I didn’t think I had to with me not being expected to go back to work because my partner works the required hours . 

However on this new info I’ve revived on here this evening I’ve went on our uc journal and declared my health problems . Will I be asked for a fit note? 

My partner is on my uc claim as we live together it’s a joint claim hmrc contact uc every month and declare his wages taxes etc. 
it’s all legitimate haha. 

Our son receives high rate care dla, and I receive carers allowance for him

calcotti

You must provide details of a Fit Note within 7 days. Did you tell them about your health by ‘reporting a change’ on your journal. If you would have been asked for details of a Fit Note or told you need to report one.

Do you get Carers Allowance with carer element of UC with the CA deducted from the UC? As a carer you are not expected to work.

You don’t have to tell them about your health but if you are found to have LCWRA you will get the LCWRA element. You will no longer get the carer element but the LCWRA element is worth more.

Does your partner claim the carer element of UC for looking after you (as my previous reply)?

bagheera93

calcotti said:

You must provide details of a Fit Note within 7 days. Did you tell them about your health by ‘reporting a change’ on your journal. If you would have been asked for details of a Fit Note or told you need to report one.

Do you get Carers Allowance with carer element of UC with the CA deducted from the UC? As a carer you are not expected to work.

You don’t have to tell them about your health but if you are found to have LCWRA you will get the LCWRA element. You will no longer get the carer element but the LCWRA element is worth more.

Does your partner claim the carer element of UC for looking after you (as my previous reply)?

I have just went onto my journal and declared all my health conditions and ticked yes this affects me looking for work. 

Yes my caters allowance for me being our sons carer is deducted from our uc claim. 

No my partner does not receive caters for looking after me as he works to many hours 

calcotti

bagheera93 said: No my partner does not receive caters for looking after me as he works to many hours 

If he spends 35 hours per week caring for you then he can declare this to UC and then an additional carer element will be added to the UC. It doesn’t matter how many hours he works.

bagheera93 said: Yes my caters allowance for me being our sons carer is deducted from our uc claim. 

You didn’t answer

calcotti said:

Do you get Carers Allowance with carer element of UC with the CA deducted from the UC? As a carer you are not expected to work.

poppy123456

There's no earnings limit to carers element like there is with carers allowance. If you're claiming carers allowance for looking after your son, you should also have the carers element included in your UC.

Once you've been through the work capability assessment, if you're found to have LCWRA there's extra money each month but the same person can't claim both carers element and LCWRA at the same time. This means you will receive the higher element instead.

bagheera93

Oh really ? I was always under the understanding he could not claim it for me . You have both been a big help tonight Thankyou . 

calcotti

bagheera93 said:

Oh really ? I was always under the understanding he could not claim it for me . You have both been a big help tonight Thankyou . 

He cannot claim Carers Allowance but can still get the carer element of UC.

bagheera93

Thankyou that’s useful, 
so he can get carer element on our uc claim for me ? 

Even though I’m down as our sons carer and receive carers allowance ? 

Hope that makes sense 

calcotti

bagheera93 said:

so he can get carer element on our uc claim for me ? 

Even though I’m down as our sons carer and receive carers allowance ? 

Yes.