ESA claim and potential split with partner.

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ohanmic

Hello everyone. I am currently on ESA enhanced rate (or it may be the UC version now as I'm confused with the whole migration thing).  I am in a joint claim with my partner and her benefits. Things aren't going to well between us right now and I'm thinking of leaving. Yesterday I left a note on my journal stating that I may be splitting up with my partner and will this affect my benefits. It may sound stupid but now I am worried they'll cut my benefits or make me go through the whole process again. I have had a WCA and I am classed as unfit for work.

Any help, information or suggestions would be gratefully received. Thank you

poppy123456

There's no such thing as enhanced rate ESA. Enhanced refers to PIP, which is a disability benefit.

As you have access to a journal then it will be UC that you're claim. Although you could also be claiming ESA at the same time as UC but that will not be affected if you split from your partner.

There was no need to put that message onto your journal because changes won't take affect until that change has actually happened.

If you do split with your partner then you will need to log into your journal and click "report a change" then look through the list and click "living with a partner" and report it that way. Your partner will also need to do the same.

Your claims will then revert to single claims. Please be aware that when you do this all of your journal entries and statements will be removed.

As you will then be a single person then yes your UC payments will decrease. You will not need to go through the work capability assessment process again. However, because your journal entries will be lost, including your statements you may want to take a screenshot of your most recent statement, or a screenshot of the letter telling you which group you're in, whether that's LCW or LCWRA.