Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Money matters

Find financial and money-saving discussions including debt and pension chat on our Money forum. If you're looking for ways to make your money to go further, sign up to our Moneysaver emails here.

Original poster

2 people on ESA (IR) moving in together? What happens?

5 replies

Wynandham · 15/03/2023 22:25

Both on income related ESA.

I know only 1 can claim so do we just choose one of us to keep claiming?

Will the other person be forced to work if we are not both allowed to claim?

OP posts:
JudgeRudy · 29/04/2023 12:49

I'm unsure what you mean by 'forced' to work. Unless there's a reason why you can't eg health or childcare, then yes of course you would both be expected to work (at least 30hrs each). You'll be assessed as a couple so it will be assumed your income is pooled. If one of you gets a job your joint IC will be reduced accordingly. It could be that that one full time income is enough for you both or perhaps you'll only get a little bit of UC until you both get jobs.
What's your personal situation? What's the reason you think you might both be reliant on UC long term?

Highworth · 29/04/2023 12:58

This is not an easy answer. It would be worth speaking to an organisation like Citizens Advice.

Highworth · 29/04/2023 12:59

@JudgeRudy I would assume that as they are both on ESA they are both considered to be unfit for work.

JudgeRudy · 29/04/2023 13:18

Highworth · 29/04/2023 12:59

@JudgeRudy I would assume that as they are both on ESA they are both considered to be unfit for work.

Thank you. Just looked at different benefits...

If you're benefits are income related your total benefits will be assessed as a couple. Depending which group you are in you'll be expected to carry on as before so if eg you are both in the 'support' group, neither of you will be expected to be looking for work. If one of you is in the 'support' group you will be expected to be looking to get back into work so eg attending training, functional skills classes etc, or anything that makes it more likely you'll get a job.if BOTH of you are in the support group and one of you gets a job, the other one will also be expected to work towards getting back into work.
Benefits like PIP are not means tested so they stay yours whatever you are doing (together, separately, or in/out of work).

This site has further information

https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/what-youll-get#:~:text=You'll%20normally%20get%20the,re%20aged%2025%20or%20over

Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) money if you cannot work because of illness or disability - rates, eligibility, apply, assessment.

https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/what-youll-get#:~:text=You'll%20normally%20get%20the,re%20aged%2025%20or%20over

LuluTaylor · 29/04/2023 13:22

Have you put your hypothetical new situation through a benefit calculator? Try "entitled to" website. Sad truth is you're probably better off financially if you stay living separately and dating. It's not only one of you claims, it's one joint claim.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread