Hi, my name is GothChic! Will marriage affect my direct payments scheme payments?

GothChic

I have just joined this forum, I have questions and don’t really know who to talk to so I thought I’d see what this is like

poppy123456

What questions do you have?

GothChic

Firstly is this somewhere for impartial advice, you can never be to careful that someone could report you to the social etc

poppy123456

You can ring the scope helpline tomorrow between 9am and 6pm. Textphone: dial 18001 then 0808 800 3333. https://www.scope.org.uk/helpline/#:~:text=Scope's%20helpline%20provides%20free%2C%20independent,Phone%3A%200808%20800%203333.

This is a public forum so anyone can see anything that’s posted. Having said that providing you don’t give any personal information such as names, location, postcodes (which isn’t allowed anyway) etc etc then it’s unlikely that anyone would know who you are, you could be anyone. 

GothChic

Ok thank you, so I am a young lady in a wheelchair and am on disability benefits PIP and EESA, I am in a serious relationship and wondered if i got married would my benefits be affected, so he is able bodied and retired 

poppy123456

You say he's retired, is he claiming his State pension? Does he claim any other benefits? Is your ESA Income Related or New style/Contributions based?

PIP isn't affected. Just to add further, getting married doesn't affect any benefits, but living together will affect means tested benefits.

GothChic

yes he gets state pension no other benefits and I think my ESA is income related as I don’t pay into it or anything and I forgot to mention I also get 24/7 care via the direct payments scheme

poppy123456

If you live together then you will need to report the changes to ESA. It will then need to be recalculated based on your joint circumstances. Your ESA will include a pensioners premium but his state pension will be deducted in full from your ESA.

If your ESA includes the severe disability premium then this will end if you live with him. PIP isn't affected. If you're claiming single person discount for council tax reduction then this will also end. I can't advise about any council tax reduction entitlement because all areas have their own rules.

If he's claiming Pension Credit then he will need to report the changes and this will end because you're a mixed aged couple.

I can't advise about your direct payments.

Albus_Scope

Heya @GothChic (love the name)  and a big welcome to the community from me.

I can see you're already getting some top advice from Poppy, but I just wanted to stop by and say hi.  If you need further help, please just ask.  Or if you fancied chatting or playing some games, our Coffee Lounge is a great place.  

GothChic

Thank you @Albus_Scope yeah Poppy is giving some great advice but can’t help me with the direct payments side of my question would you be able to?

Albus_Scope

I'm afraid Poppy is far more knowledgeable than me, so I'm unable to advise there.  Hopefully one of the other regulars can help?

I'll just pop your post into a different category and rename it, that may help. I hope that's ok.  

GothChic

Ok that’s fine thank you if not I might email the helpline email if that’s any good or is that just the same as this?

Albus_Scope

It'll be different people, so not a worry there. 

Helpline info for you; 

Phone: 0808 800 3333.

Email: helpline@scope.org.uk.

Textphone: dial 18001 then 0808 800 3333.

Calls are free from UK landlines and mobiles

GothChic

Thank you 

poppy123456

Direct payments isn’t a benefit. It’s a payment from your local Authority to help pay towards the care or support you receive. It would depend on your local Authority so the best ones to contact regarding this is them. 

GothChic

okay thanks was hoping I wouldn't need to go to them