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I need advice please due to a change in circumstances.

I'm 57 and in receipt of ESA in the support group. My partner who is 59, is being laid off because of Covid-19, but has an opportunity to take over the business (a shop), if he wants to. The business was struggling before the pandemic, so the owner is using this opportunity to 'shut up shop'. If my partner takes it over, it is unlikely to pay him enough to support us, so he enquired about Universal Credit. I'm worried because straight away they told him we would have to make a joint claim, so I would be put on UC with him, and then if he later came off UC I would still be on it and not returned to ESA. We live in a privately rented 3 bed house and have no savings.
Neither of us really understand how benefits work so would be appreciative of any advice you can give us. Thank you.
Neither of us really understand how benefits work so would be appreciative of any advice you can give us. Thank you.
Replies
"turn2us" or "entitled2"
It really isn't as simple as you think.
As for benefits look at the two sites I gave you for an idea.
Scope
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As Poppy said, as your husband was working your ESA will be contribution based, so it will continue even when you make a joint claim for Universal Credit (and you'll be placed in the LCWRA group on Universal Credit, so won't have to work or attend work-related meetings).
As your contribution-based ESA will continue while you're claiming UC, it will be deducted £ for £ from your total UC so you're not being paid twice.
It also means that when your partner returns to work your ESA will continue. If he earns enough to close your UC claim, you'll just continue receiving your ESA and the UC claim will close.
Scope
If you have a few minutes to spare, we'd appreciate your feedback on our online community.