Hi, my name is Simon1965! need to have some help on what I can claim.

Simon1965
Simon1965 Online Community Member Posts: 2 Listener
edited February 2025 in Benefits and income

Hi , I have just stopped working to care for my wife who has been poorly for a while.

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  • Simon1965
    Simon1965 Online Community Member Posts: 2 Listener

    I was made redundant at the end of last year and we made the decision to stop work at age 59 to care for my wife . I am new to claiming benefits so I need to have some help on what I can claim.

  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Online Community Member Posts: 5,857 Championing

    Hi,

    If you have less than £16,000 in savings between you then you can apply for Universal Credit as a joint claim.

    Unfortunately UC is not available to people with more than £16,000 in savings.

    New Style ESA does not have a savings limit, however you must have work-restricting health conditions yourself in order to claim that.

    You should be able to claim Carers Allowance as long as your wife receives a qualifying benefit such as PIP.

    You may also be able to claim Council Tax reduction, again depending on your savings, though those are managed by each council individually so the rules and savings limits vary depending on area.

  • Albus_Alumni
    Albus_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 11,423 Championing

    Hi there @Simon1965 and welcome to the community. I'm sorry to hear about the redundancy. I can see you've had some good advice above, but I'd also like to suggest using a benefits calculator, these can be very helpful too.

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