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ESA
cazzie
Member Posts: 1 Listener
Can a couple both claim ESA?
cazzie
Member Posts: 1 Listener
cazzie
Member Posts: 1 Listener
Replies
Yes, definitely. A couple could claim two lots of contributory ESA if they have both worked in the past and paid enough national insurance. For income-related ESA, if you live with a partner you always have to claim it as a couple. You can decide which of you is the main claimant. Income-related ESA can be paid on top of contributory ESA, or it might be paid by itself.
I'd be careful though, because if one of you is also a carer for the other, income support may be a better benefit to claim as your income-based benefit (the benefit you get due to a low income). And in some areas, you will have to claim Universal Credit as the income-based benefit, if you are making a new claim.
Do get back to us if you want more advice.
Will