Financially linked?

[exookofa]

Hi. I'm new and wasn't sure where best to post this. I'm currently on esa and pip and expecting later this year. My boyfriend is working, and I need to transfer over to universal credit since I've moved.

What I don't want to happen is that they'll take his income into account re my benefits or that of the child.

When I stayed with a previous boyfriend, they didn't take his earnings into account, but I'm unsure if having a child changes that. I'm just so confused and don't know what to do as he really doesn't earn enough to support us all :(

She states in her OP that she receives PIP.

As far as I know, PIP isn't means tested, so you won't lose that.

Did you discuss finances at all before moving in?

Okay. So PIP you keep and child benefit you keep and if you can find some way of earning a small income, that's your too, OP.

Anyone know how tax credits work? Are they as the name suggests, a reduction in the rate of tax he'll be paying, or are they a payment made?

Its not that. Esa is £600 ish a month. Where's he meant to find that realistically If they give me nothing for esa?

If he's on a good income, you're going to be dependent on his generosity to give you either your own spending money, or to give you access to a joint bank a/c.
If he's not, you may jointly qualify for some portion of UC.
You will retain your PIP.
May I ask what the disability is, or even whether it's mental or physical?

They're a payment made by BACS double.

Well, you may have to reduce your spending. Your finances are joint now.
Did he know this before you moved in?

It's likely that the only money of your own that you'll have is PIP. For the rest, the household income is what he's bringing in.
You need to have a serious chat with him, as this may come as a massive shock to him i.e. that he's now going to have to support you financially.

PIP is pretty difficult to get awarded, so I don't doubt your disability is debilitating. So work of any description is probably out of the question?

When is baby due?

Its not that. Esa is £600 ish a month. Where's he meant to find that realistically If they give me nothing for esa?

Income-related benefits are paid to cover living costs. Contribution- based benefits benefits are an entitlement based in your NICs record. ESA (like JSA) came in both flavours, but you're now moving to UC which is income-based.

Why would the DWP continue to provide you with an income-based payment to cover your single living costs when you now living with a gainfully employed partner who can cover many of your living costs?

You're doubling up now so you no longer have a council tax bill EACH, a water bill EACH, a gas BILL each etc

If you didn't want to throw your lot in with his, you shouldn't have moved in with him.

@exookofa if you can’t work due to health then do you mind me asking why you are having a baby?? They are not exactly a walk in the park!?? It takes more energy/effort to look after a baby than it does to say “sit at a desk all day, work at a checkout in a shop etc. and yes, I’m also baffled as to why you think you should have it every way!! 🙄

PIP is pretty difficult to get awarded, so I don't doubt your disability is debilitating. So work of any description is probably out of the question?

Don't be silly. Millions of people receive PIP, are incapacitated and work (employed or freelance). It's worth exploring all options. Seeing an occupational therapist might be a good idea.

The baby is a more definite barrier to employment in the short term.

It's likely that the only money of your own that you'll have is PIP. For the rest, the household income is what he's bringing in.

No. She should continue to claim the Child Benefit. If he earns too much he can pay it back through the tax system.

She needs the protection for her state pension record and she needs some independent income, however modest.

As far as I can tell, they don't have a baby yet, so are not yet in receipt of child benefit.

Yes, but when she can, she should claim it.

I think they may have walked into this eyes wide shut, not realising the financial implications at all. It also places her in a position of vulnerability.
That's why I asked what the disability is. If it's a psychiatric condition, she's even more vulnerable. Also, with psychiatric conditions, you will be debilitated and absolutely incapable of any type of work.

It's sounding more and more like it's a bit of a recipe for disaster, but shit happens I suppose.

Is child benefit linked to tax credits (I've a feeling I read somewhere that whoever receives one receives the other?)

If that's the case, then she'll have PIP, tax credits and child benefit.
PIP is a decent payment depending on which level of it she's on. If her ESA is 600 ish, then she's on the higher rate of ESA.

OP if you want to give us average figures for his income and mortgage, and how many children you have already, we might be able to help more.

UC has superseded Tax Credits.

It's hard to say much more without further information.

If she's incapacitated enough so as to be completely unable to work, she'll probably benefit from the support of a live in partner once the baby comes. So there's that as well as the financial side.

Well it's worth filling out the form OP. Apply for UC online giving truthful answers. Trying to defraud them is not a risk I'd be willing to take personally. You risk, fines, debts to be paid back and even imprisonment.

A cousin of mine was found out (the bad side of the family) to be committing benefit fraud from his Facebook page where he was selling cars. They are like hawks at sussing dodgy claims. For e.g. if you're moving from a one bed flat to be a lodger in a household with one male.. Raises eyebrows. They're not thick.

Well the OP doesn't say much apart from the fact the she either wants advice on how to commit fraud or else that she thinks the benefits system is unfair (giving the benefit of the doubt).

Hi there OP,

We hope you don't mind, we're going to move this to legal matters now.