New Style esa and careers allowance

brighid

hi I’m on new style (contributions based) esa. I’m waiting to hear if I’m in the support group, but that will probably be the case. I’m also caring for my partner ( he does receive pip, so qualifies in that respect). I’ve read about careers allowance and am a bit confused about it. The info seems to indicate that on new style esa I wouldn’t get anything extra even if I claimed, is that right? Can anyone explain in simple terms please? Many thanks 

poppy123456

Hi,

May i ask what other benefits your partner claims other than PIP or does he work?

brighid

Hi, yes he’s technically working at the minute. Although he is currently off sick and ssp due to end Nov. So he too will be probably soon be claiming new style  ESA, as he’s not fit to go back at the moment. 

poppy123456

You're right you can't claim carers allowance on Contributions based ESA because they're overlapping benefits. What happens is when some claims carers allowance the carers allowance is taken off the ESA and a carers premium is added, this makes that person £36 per week better off. As you're claiming CB ESA then premiums can't be added to these. For the top up you would need to claim universal credit as a couple and then then you'll be paid the Carers Element in the UC. Before you consider doing this i would advise you to get further expert advice because UC and New style CB ESA is complicated and a little outside of my knowledge and i really don't want to incorrectly advise you. Contact you local Please CAB for a full benefits check.

In the meantime has your husband started his claim for New style contributions based ESA? A claim can be started before the SSP finishes, this will save the few weeks of waiting for payments if he waits for the SSP to finish. He just needs to put a date down on the form for when he the SSP is to end and he will need his SSP1 form from he employer to claim it. Payments for the ESA won't start until the SSP ends.  Fit notes will also be needed, as you know.

Details in the link about how to claim New style Contributions based ESA.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-style-employment-and-support-allowance#how-to-claim-new-style-esa

brighid

Thank you.