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If my husband goes for ESA while waiting for PIP decision can I claim CA or would it affect his ESA?

Hi all after some advice about benifits. My husband is due home about the 8th March, I have been told by the medical team at the rehabilitation centre that he can't be left on his own due to him having blance issues and he has impaired vision in 1 eye he can only walk with a frame at a very slow pace this is because he has had a bad bleed on the brain. I have decided to go down to 2 days a week at work. Brain at present get SSP but not sure for how long as if they no he wont be returning . We will of course be going for pip from what the OT said today hexwont have any trouble getting that, at present he can't be left unattended can't be aloud to cook a hot meal or even make a hot drink. An6 my question is if brian goes for ESA while waiting for the pip decision can I claim carers allowance or would it affect his ESA benefit, I am aware that pip won't be effected, I 2ill be earning just under the £128 . Also should I make the claim for pip as soon as he comes out of hospital, he has been in hospital for 14 weeks. Any advice would be much appreciated as me nor my husband no anything about the benifits system
Thanks
Karen
Thanks
Karen
Replies
You cannot get Carers Allowance until he is awarded PIP. If you later get CA it makes no difference to his ESA.
For PIP you can start the claim now. You don't have to wait for him to come out of hospital. You will need to let them know when he is discharged and if it's awarded it will be backdated to the day of discharge.
You could also use a benefits calculator to see if you may be entitled to any Universal Credit (which is means tested). https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators. You can't claim if you have capital/savings over £16,000.
If you will be claiming UC you should tell them you are a carer and, if PIP is awarded, you can get get the carer element in UC without claiming Carer's Allowance. The carer element of UC is not subject to the £128 earnings limit that applies to carer's Allowance.
If claiming both ESA and UC the ESA will be deducted from the UC (as will the CA if you do claim it).
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The benefit calculators are very useful if you can manage to use them.
I hope that the above advice has been helpful, and please do let us know if you have any further questions. I've changed the title of your post so that other members will be able to find it more easily.
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Regards
Karen