Living in a property with partner while on ESA

JellyBelly

I’m on ESA due to disability and being unable to work full time. If I buy a property to live in and a partner (who is on an average wage) moves in with me I will lose my ESA, but would I lose ESA if a lodger rents the spare room and I’m in a relationship with that lodger? They would only be renting that room from me, not technically living with me in the whole property. 

poppy123456

A partner can't be your lodger. If your partner moves in with you then you would need to claim Income Related benefits as a couple. There's no getting around that i'm afraid and you will need to report the changes to ESA.

If any part of your ESA is contributions based then this will continue. (Support Group £129.50/week) You can also check entitlement to Universal Credit. Just because you're living with a partner this doesn't mean there's no entitlement to UC.

If you're in the Support Group for ESA then you'll be entitled to the LCWRA element of UC from the start of the your claim. You and/or a partner will also be entitled to the work allowance, which means a certain amount of earnings can be received each month before the 55% deductions apply. If you're not claiming for help with any rent then it will be £631/month work allowance.

Use a benefits calculator to check entitlement. https://www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator

Albus_Scope

Heya @JellyBelly and welcome to the community.

As Poppy has said, unfortunately just because they're your lodger, it wouldn't override them being your partner.