Esa

[nokidshere]

I am unable to work due to multiple health issues and have recently (3 months ago) applied for esa.

I haven't heard anything at all from esa but today I spoke to a work coach from the job centre who told me that her screen showed that esa have agreed I have limited capabilities for work and they are awarding me NI payments but no actual money.

My only income is £342 per 4 weeks from a private pension.

Can anyone tell me how this works please? And why they think I might not need any money? Do they take DHs earnings into account (he is a pensioner also). What is their criteria?

Have you claimed ESA or UC? When did you stop work? Are you entitled to contribution based ESA?

When I stopped work I applied for ESA and was awarded contribution based ESA after filling in an online application, a health assessment form and a health assessment over the phone.

I didn’t apply for UC

UC takes into account partners earnings, contribution based ESA doesn’t

Although you say you're both pensioners I suspect you are still below the age for the State Pension.

ESA (Employment Support Allowance) for new applicants is only available if you've paid National Insurance in the last 2-3 years. Currently that would be tax years 2020/21 and 2021/22. If you've not worked recently then you are unlikely to have paid sufficient NI.

What you've been awarded is 'credits only' ESA. This pays your ongoing NI to for your State Pension.

Any top up would be form Universal Credit.

Do you get PIP? if you're not actually pension age then you can apply, if you're over pension age then it would be attendance allowance. You can also apply for UC if again you're under pension age but it would take into account income from your pension and also your partners income. How much do they bring in?

Ahh all of that makes sense. Many thanks for that.

I do get pip, I'm under retirement age and I have a dh so UC takes his pensions into account and assume he's happy to support me. (Which he is thankfully, but not sure how they decide/know that).

@nokidshere if you're under pension age but your husband is over you're what the benefit system calls a mixed age couple. Consequence is that, until you're both pension age the means tested benefit to top up income is Universal Credit rather than the much more generous Pension Credit.

Assume you and DH are 'Living Together as a Married Couple'; sharing a home and your lives. In that case, irrespective of whether there has ever been any actual marriage, the benefits system treats you as having a mutual responsibility to support one another.

If you were to claim UC then your own work pension and any pensions, work or state, he has will reduce UC £1/£1. Unless you have dependants, or pay rent, then combined pensions of well under £200/week will close off UC.

Thank you @Bromptotoo