Hi, my name is KimKu! Could my daughter and her partner claim anything else?

KimKu
KimKu Online Community Member Posts: 4 Listener
edited November 2022 in Benefits and income
I'm a carer for my 32 year old daughter who has epilepsy and learning disabilities. 

She has recently (September 22) got married to, and moved in with, her long term partner. 

Her partner went to special school with her and also has learning difficulties.

He is in full time work (on minimum wage) and while my daughter can't work she does get weekly job coaching and craft sessions provided by the local council.

She receives PIP and ESA - He doesn't get any benefits at all - and we just heard from the DWP that her ESA will be reducing since she got married.

Should they be claiming anything else Tax credits, Rate support, or UC? 

Any help would be gratefully appreciated - thank you

Comments

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,458 Championing
    They will not be able to claim tax credits because it no longer exists for new claims. They can use a benefits calculator to check entitlement to UC. If she's in the Support Group for ESA then she will be entitled to the LCWRA element from the start of their claim.
    If her PIP includes the daily living part and her partner looks after her for at least 35 hours per week then they can report this and their UC will include the carers element.
    I'm assuming that part of her ESA was contributions based which would mean that her partner working would not affect this (£117.60/week) If it is then this will be deducted in full from any UC entitlement.


  • KimKu
    KimKu Online Community Member Posts: 4 Listener
    Thank you Poppy - I'm not sure she is in any Support Group for ESA but I don't think so - I still look after her while her husband is at work, and receive carer's allowance, when she comes here and I take care of them both most of the time - Her PIP includes daily living part - but I don't think her ESA is contribution based as she never worked.

    I will have a go at the benefit calculator and keep you posted.

    Thanks again
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,458 Championing
    Part of her ESA must be contributions based because if it wasn't her partner working full time would mean there's no entitlement to Income Related ESA because they are working more than 24 hours per week.
    How much ESA does she receive each week please? If you can tell me that then i can advise.
    If she was previously claiming Incapacity benefit and she's now in the Support Group then her ESA is likely to be contributions based.
    As you are claiming carers allowance for looking after her then her partner will not be able to claim carers element of UC for looking after her.
  • KimKu
    KimKu Online Community Member Posts: 4 Listener
    Ran it through and the calculator, using what I think is the correct current ESA variations and it says they would be much better off with UC - is there any downside to applying/switching to UC from ESA?
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,458 Championing
    Her current ESA status will transfer to UC so if she's in the Support Group she'll be entitled to the LCWRA element from the start of her claim.
    If her ESA is contributions based (it must be because her partner is working full time) then this will be deducted in full from any UC entitlement and the ESA will continue as normal.
    They will have the work allowance too, which means that a certain amount of earnings received each month will be ignored before the 55% deductions apply. If they claim for help with the rent then their work allowance will be £344, if they don't it will be £573.
    She will need to report her health condition when she claims and also she'll need a fit note. Once her ESA status transfers across she will no longer need any further fit notes. They will both likely need to attend their local Job centre for their first appointment. However, as her partner is working full time then they maybe able to have a telephone appointment which would likely suit them better. Your daughter may need to attend though.
  • KimKu
    KimKu Online Community Member Posts: 4 Listener
    Thank you Poppy - I will check it next week when I get home and let you know - its really complicated isn't it?
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,458 Championing
    Yes, complicated indeed.

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