Re benefits

janeyboo
janeyboo Community Member Posts: 3 Listener

Hi im Jane and wanted to say hi to everyone here. I'm new to this type of thing so please be patient if you can I've got multiple sclerosis which I've had since 2005 and was hoping to get some benefit advice and also, if I can, I wanted to listen to other people who need help, and help them if I can, maybe with just general advice and a listening ear

Comments

  • janeyboo
    janeyboo Community Member Posts: 3 Listener

    Hi im Jane and wanted to say hi to everyone here. I'm new to this type of thing so please be patient if you can I've got multiple sclerosis which I've had since 2005 and was hoping to get some benefit advice and also, if I can, I wanted to listen to other people who need help, and help them if I can, maybe with just general advice and a listening ear

  • Bluebell21
    Bluebell21 Community Member Posts: 4,825 Championing

    Hi @janeyboo welcome to the Community. I hope you enjoy your time on the forum. Any questions just ask.

    Any questions you have on benefits just ask and someone should be able to help you.

    Have a look around and join in when you are ready.

    Take care.

  • Carl_Scope
    Carl_Scope Posts: 124 Online Community Team

    Hello and a warm welcome to the community @janeyboo!

    Do you claim any benefits at the moment? What benefits are you looking at claiming, UC, PIP, ESA?

  • janeyboo
    janeyboo Community Member Posts: 3 Listener

    Hi i was wondering if I could claim universal credit.  My partner and I live in a 2 bedroom house , rented
    from a private landlord and we are struggling slightly.  My partner works 40 hours and earns £27,000 and
    I don’t work.  I twisted my pelvis a couple
    of years ago when I got thrown forward on a bus and am now unable to walk a few
    steps without a walking trolley.  I cannot
    stand upright because of severe pain  in pelvic
    and hip area and my balance is completely unsteady. I am permanently tipped forward
    with my posture.  I was working as a cleaner
    beforehand, doing about 22 hours a week before this happened, and shortly afterwards
    I had to give up the job because I was having to get my partner to do most of the
    work every evening because I couldn’t stand up with a hoover, and I was pushing
    the walking trolley with one hand and hoovering with the other which was ridiculous.  I was also pushing the walking trolley around
    and having to sit on it to clean desks, and sitting on a toilet whilst I mopped
    the toilet floor because I couldn’t stand up. So basically I’m physically useless when it comes to the walking aspect.  I also have relapse remitting multiple sclerosis
    which I have had since 2005 which leaves me extremely tired sometimes with no energy,
    mental or physical.

    I was awarded enhanced rate pip for mobility and lower rate pip
    for daily living last year until 2028, and I’ve just received a letter from pip
    extending my award until 2029.

    So my partner gets gross wage £27,000.00 of which he pays £1025
    per month rent, plus other bills, and I get £626.00 per month pip, of which I pay
    out £400 per month in bills.  We dont receive
    any other benefits apart from the pip and I was trying to see if im eligible for
    universal credit,  but i noticed they will
    try to see my eligibility for working.......surely if I can’t walk they wouldn’t
    expect me to work or look for work.

    Just asking for advice please, any advice would be gratefully
    received

    Many thanks

     

     

     

  • Carl_Scope
    Carl_Scope Posts: 124 Online Community Team

    Hello @janeyboo, that's correct that when you first claim UC they would treat you as a job seeker until you have undertaken a work capability assessment.

    To work out if you would be eligible you could put your details into a benefit calculator such as Better off or Turn to us. If you get stuck on any of the questions, let us know and we may be able to help.

    Depending on how long ago it was that you had to stop work and your NI contributions, you may be eligible for New Style ESA

  • syntheticanimal
    syntheticanimal Community Member Posts: 5 Listener

    hope this isn’t the case but if you live with a partner you have to make a joint claim, and his income of £27,000 might make you ineligible :(