ESA

Cornermorris

hello

I would like to know if I am able to try and claim ESA if my partner has successfully claimed Carers Allowance for me? Are we able to receive both benefits as a family?
Many thanks

poppy123456

The only ESA that's possible to claim now is New style ESA, which isn't means tested. As it's a contributions based only benefit then you can't claim this as a couple. You need the correct NI contributions in the previous 2 tax years to claim this, so if you haven't worked then you will not be entitled to payments. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-style-employment-and-support-allowance

The only other benefit possible to claim as a couple will be Universal Credit. It's a means tested benefit so if you have savings/capital of more than £16,000 you're excluded from claiming. Whether there's any entitlement will depend on your joint circumstances. You can use a benefits calculator to check entitlement. https://www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator/Intro/Home?cid=cebb6ea6-f31d-4d13-aeda-89387db14bd2

The carers allowance will be deducted in full from any UC entitlement.

Cornermorris

Thank you so much for your reply.
I have worked in the last two years but only on a ‘relief’ contract.
Regards UC, I was claiming until summer of last year and came off as my partner moved in and was earning too much for me to claim- however he has now retired. I was told at the time that I wouldn’t be able to make another claim again, which is why I have gone for ESA. Is it correct that I can’t claim for UC again?

Thanks again x

poppy123456

For New style ESA you will need class 1 NI contributions. You can see the requirements here https://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/employment-and-support-allowance-contribution-based

You can check your NI contributions online here https://www.gov.uk/check-national-insurance-record

If you’re not sure whether you qualify then you can put a claim in and DWP will check entitlement. They will send you a decision letter in a few weeks and it will tell you whether there’s any entitlement to payments.

When you say your partner has retired do you mean they have reached state pension age? If so are they claiming their state pension?

Cornermorris

He’s 60, not claiming state pension yet, but withdrawing from a private pension.

Thank you - I’ll check out my NI contributions

poppy123456

You can claim UC but as I advised it would need to be as a couple and your joint circumstances will be taken into consideration. His pension and carers allowance will be deducted in full from any UC entitlement.

For ESA if the relief work was only casual then you may not have enough of NI contributions.

Cornermorris

Thank you Poppy so much- your knowledge and advice are greatly appreciated. I’ll look into all of this more. 🙂