ESA, PIP, UC, and partner moving in. I'm trying to negate the losses of transferring over.

Kitty1

Hi there
just wondering if someone could advise me please. My partner is moving in with me as we are applying for a special guardian order for my young foster child who has lived with me.  I want to add my partner to my ESA (SG) claim. I have ended my child tax credits single claim. Am I still able to add my partner to my legacy benefit? Under these circumstances? The reason I want him to have a period of being on ESA before we make a joint claim to UC is that he has applied for PIP and if he is successful, by being on ESA when he transfers to UC we can get the transitional payment as I get PIP too. Is this ok to do? I’m trying to negate the losses due to having to transfer over? Thank you if you can advice? 

calcotti

You can add your partner to a legacy ESA claim. Ring ESA and they will send out an ESA3 form for you to complete with details of your joint finances. Your ESA award will then be recalculated.

if you are claiming Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Reduction you will need to inform your local council too.

If you currently get a single person discount on your Council Tax you need to inform Council Tax team also.

Your plan for SDP and UC seems sound - you just need to be prepared for a wait getting the PIP and take into account not receiving the child element while you wait.

Kitty1

Thank you. Is this still ok even though the child is back living with me? I haven’t reapplied for CTC as I want to do the legacy and then do a joint claim to UC? 

calcotti

Kitty1 said:

Thank you. Is this still ok even though the child is back living with me? I haven’t reapplied for CTC as I want to do the legacy and then do a joint claim to UC? 

You can’t apply for CTC because it’s been replaced by UC. What I meant is that by delaying claiming UC you delay getting the child element of UC which has to be offset against the possible gain you get from the SDP protection if your partner gets a Daily Living PIP award. Obviously the loss is short term and the potential gain is long term but it depends how tight your finances will be in the short term by waiting.

Is your partner claiming any benefits themselves at the moment?

Kitty1

He is not on any benefits. Just applied for Pip. Thank you for your help.