Claiming ESA and moving in with a partner

[nippysweetie82]

Hi, can anyone advise me about claiming ESA if my partner works part time? I have been claiming ESA for just over a year, it's income based and I'm in the WRAG group. I intend to move in with my partner within the next few months but I'm worried about how we'll cope financially. I have 2 children and my partner works 20 hours a week so we wouldn't be entitled to working tax credits.
Does anyone know if I would still be entitled to claim income based ESA?

It depends on how much your partner earns, put your details in the calculator on turn 2 us as though you're already living together and it should give you a fairly accurate idea what you will qualify for.

Thanks for your reply.I did that but there was no mention of ESA. He only works 20 hours and earns approx £10000 per year so I would be entitled to child tax credits but not working tax credits. I might need to go to CAB with the figures and double check.

I moved in with my DP last year and my ESA and DLA haven't been affected, but I am in the support group so his income isn't taken into account. I think your ESA would be affected if it's income based and you move in with a working partner, but as it's part time you might still get a small amount. There would also be changes to other benefits, like child tax credits and any housing/council tax benefit so best to get a full benefit check. CAB is a good idea.

There is a set amount a week the government says you need to live on. This increases depending on whether or not you have kids, get DLA, get maintenance, live with someone etc. Your DPs income will be taken into account and then a certain amount a week is minused (£20 a week if you're a couple, £30 if one of you gets DLA) and divided over 52. The amount of money you have coming in a week has to be less than the amount of money the government says you need to live on in order for you to get any ESA. HB is slightly different as, even if you only get a few pounds a week ESA, ESA is a passport benefit and so you'll get full HB. HTH xx

Do you claim dla/ pip op? If you do your dp would only need to work 16 hours and you would still get working tax credits.