Ex Carer with Fibro back job searching

psabin8951
psabin8951 Online Community Member Posts: 2 Listener
in Benefits and income

Having been a carer for 35 years and only receiving carers allowance. I now find myself back looking for work.

My Partner earns a small amount but as I haven't worked for a long time (although caring takes more real work than many jobs!) I don't seem entitled to any job seekers or UC allowances is this right?

It seems crazy that we were better off with an ill partner than two who are at least partially able to work.

Finding work at 61 with no real work history will be hard in itself.

Any thoughts appreciated

Comments

  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Online Community Member Posts: 5,392 Championing

    Hi,

    Can you confirm why you aren't entitled to JSA or UC now?

    From the information we have, you should be eligible for New Style JSA because of the class 1 NI credits earned by receiving Carers Allowance.

  • psabin8951
    psabin8951 Online Community Member Posts: 2 Listener

    Oh! I completed a benefits calculation on Martins money-saving site and it said I wouldn't get anything. Seemed to imply if my partner was earning I'd get nothing.

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,458 Championing
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/927605#Comment_927605

    Unfortunately, the NI credits from Carers allowance alone isn't enough to be entitled to payments for New style JSA. You also need to have worked at some point in tax years 2021/22 and 2022/23.

    For UC because it's means tested and you live with a partner then yes you'll need to claim as a couple and your joint circumstances will be taken into consideration.

    If your health condition limits your capability to work then you maybe able to claim New style ESA but whether this is possible will depend on when exactly your carers allowance ended and whether you've worked at all in the past and paid NI contributions. It's complex but there's more information here.

    https://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/employment-and-support-allowance-contribution-based

  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Online Community Member Posts: 5,392 Championing

    Ah I see, thanks Poppy. Apologies for the incorrect advice.

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,458 Championing

    You're welcome. No worries, we are not experts and with so many rules it's easy to get things wrong sometimes, I know I do.

  • Jimm_Alumni
    Jimm_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 5,713 Championing

    Hi @psabin8951, it really is difficult just now that there seem to be several gaps in the system that leaves people worse off. Let us know if you have any further questions, such as concerns or issues applying for Universal Credit or if you are unsure about your possible eligibility for New style ESA.

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