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How to show we are low income - UC the answer?

casperanimation

My husband and I (mid 40s) are both on ESA contribution - but aren't classed as low income due to this legacy benefit. We live with my parents which we did after losing our home together due to ill health and go halves on bills with them, no rent (one is on pip, the other their carer) and we are very limited on income (especially with increased price with energy etc).
We also have a 7 yr old son. Will the only way we will be classed as low income will be through UC? My husband works around 10 hours a week, no income but he does have royalties (around £20 a month at most, sometimes nothing at all). It's the sort of industry we hope he'll get a big break, but he is limited so we're not relaying on this (maybe we did when we were younger!) How does royalties work with UC?
Things which would really help would be free school meals, prescriptions etc (we currently pay monthly). My concern is I am worried about the whole process and don't deal with stress well (which is why we have stayed like this a long time). But with cost of living, it's a must now - my health has deteriorated and I am also applying for PIP. How will this affect things with possible UC and low income?
Thank you

Edit to add: We also get child benefit but no tax credits etc.

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poppy123456

casperanimation said:

My husband and I (mid 40s) are both on ESA contribution -

Can i just check on this, are you claiming ESA individually? Do you claim child tax credits for your son?

casperanimation

poppy123456 said:

casperanimation said:

My husband and I (mid 40s) are both on ESA contribution -

Can i just check on this, are you claiming ESA individually? Do you claim child tax credits for your son?

Hello, yes we both have our own ESA but the DWP told me it's as a couple (though we have our own paperwork and payment) - so not sure exactly what that means sorry.
No we don't claim tax credits or anything else - only other thing is child benefit (sorry I missed that!)

calcotti

You have referred to UC but have also said you have a joint ESA claim.

In order to reply we need to understand exactly what you are claiming,

You are both getting contribution based (or new style ESA).

Then, either
1) one of you is also on income based ESA (which will include the other in the calculation), or
2) you have a joint UC claim

Which is it?

I don’t actually understand by what you mean by

casperanimation said: Will the only way we will be classed as low income will be through UC?

Income based benefits are paid to people on low income.

Whether on ESA or UC, royalties need to be declared when received.

If you want to check your existing benefit entitlement, as woodbine suggests, you could use a benefits calculator.

If you successfully claim PIP that will be extra income. Your partner may then also be able to claim Carers Allowance or the carer element of UC for looking after you.

casperanimation

calcotti said:

You have referred to UC but have also said you have a joint ESA claim.

In order to reply we need to understand exactly what you are claiming,

You are both getting contribution based (or new style ESA).

Then, either
1) one of you is also on income based ESA (which will include the other in the calculation), or
2) you have a joint UC claim

Which is it?

I don’t actually understand by what you mean by

casperanimation said: Will the only way we will be classed as low income will be through UC?

Income based benefits are paid to people on low income.

Whether on ESA or UC, royalties need to be declared when received.

If you want to check your existing benefit entitlement, as woodbine suggests, you could use a benefits calculator.

If you successfully claim PIP that will be extra income. Your partner may then also be able to claim Carers Allowance or the carer element of UC for looking after you.

Apologies for the confusion, I am not so clear (struggle to get exactly what I mean down).
I have looked again at paperwork and husband and I each have esa contribution individually ( i was confused as DWP told me it was together so had that in my head, but it's definitely seperate). We also have child benefit but no other benefits. So 2 x contribution esa and child benefit. But we aren't classed as low income and can't get help with prescriptions and free school meals for example - we don't have UC but have had that suggested to us so we can show we are low income and get help with those things. I mentioned my parents because I have been asked this before as they're in the household. Again sorry for the confusion (trying to get my head around it myself). Thank you for the information
Thank you for the benefits calculator

casperanimation

woodbine said:

I suppose the easy answer to poppy's question is how much ESA do you get per week?
Have you tried a benefits checker to see what you might be entitled to?

https://benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk/survey/1/cecdd17b-6d4a-46ba-bc7c-3c42ecad07a4

Thank you for this, I have done the calculation and it says potentially we could get UC £34.80 per week with our x 2 ESA and child benefit (which is great, very grateful if that's something we can do). Would I be able to have help with free school meals/prescriptions etc? Sorry if I sound daft, I find that bit really complicated to be honest. I think I just need to know what I have to show in order to maybe get some extra help if that makes sense?

bg844

Free prescriptions, dental and eye tests etc if earned less than £935 a month.
Free school meals- your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (not including any benefits you get).

Also having UC can entitle you to some other schemes such as the reduced price broadband scheme some providers are offering. If you are entitled to claim I’d advise you do.

calcotti

If you claim UC then you will both keep the contribution based ESA and will be paid a little UC. You partner should also say that they care for you. If you are awarded PIP he will then be able to receive additional money in the UC called the carer element.

casperanimation

Thank you so much @bg844 and @calcotti I really appreciate your help and will apply for UC (and finish off my pip form too today, my husband does a lot for me like cooking and helping me dress etc so will make sure he is down as carer)

Alex_Alumni

I'm glad to see you're finding the community helpful @casperanimation how are you finding the applications?

If you need a hand with anything further please let us know, and if you'd like to explore the forum more you're welcome to do so

Here's a few of the best places to get started:

Recent discussions is where you'll find all the latest conversations our members are having
The categories page shows all the different topics for discussion
The virtual coffee lounge is a place to chat, get to know other members, and play games too

Alex

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