Hi, my name is Lodge22! Do I need to notify ESA?

Lodge22

Hi I am currently in receipt of Employment and Support Allowance I am moving in with my partner September 2024 we are getting married same month do I need to notify ESA of name change and will my benefit stop I am in the support group 

poppy123456

Which ESA are you claiming? Contributions based/New style or Income Related?

Do you claim any other benefits? if so, which ones? Does your partner claim any benefits? if so which ones exactly? Do they work?

Sorry for all the questions but i can't advise without more information.

Lodge22

Hi apparently my ESA is the old style it's made up of contribution based & Income related components my partner/husband to be works full time I am also in receipt of Personal Independent Payment 

poppy123456

PIP won't be affected. Once you move in with your partner then you will need to report the changes to ESA. Any Income Related will stop because your partner works full time. The contributions based part will continue (£129.50/week) because this isn't means tested.

If you're also claiming council tax reduction then you need to report the changes to your local Authority, same applies if you're claiming housing benefit.

I'd advise you to use a benefits calculator to check entitlement to Universal Credit. You will need to claim with your partner because it's means tested. If either of you has savings/capital of more than £16,000 then you're excluded from claiming. If you claim UC while still in the Support Group for ESA then you'll be entitled to the LCWRA element from the start of your claim. https://www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator When you fill out the calculator make sure you include that you're in the Support Group (LCWRA for UC)

You will also be entitled to the work allowance. This means that a certain amount of earnings your partner receives each month will be ignored before the earnings taper applies. (55% reduction in UC) If you claim for help with any rent it will be £379/month, if you don't then it's £631/month. https://www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk/new-to-universal-credit/universal-credit-and-work/

Hannah_Alumni

Hello @Lodge22

Welcome to the community! I see Poppy has been able to help with your query. I wanted to congratulate you on your upcoming wedding! I hope planning hasn't been too stressful! 

Lodge22

May I ask from my previous message I am getting married next year what would happen to my Employment Support Allowance both contribution and Income based Employment Support Allowance if my partner moved in with me I am currently in receipt of full housing benefit and I pay £24.21 bedroom tax for two bedrooms I receive council tax reduction my partner works full time I don't work