Does any one know if I am able to claim any other benefits other than pip if my partner is working

ozzy19721968

Hi everyone I have been told I have to give up work due to my disability. My partner works full time and I get pip at the enhanced rate for both am I able to claim other benefits other than pip if my partner still works full time 

Adrian_Scope

Hello @ozzy19721968. 
It depends on lots of different factors. New Style ESA might be an option if you've contributed enough NI over the last few years. It's not income-related so you can be entitled regardless of what your partner earns. You can read about the eligibility criteria for NS ESA here: https://www.gov.uk/how-to-claim-new-style-esa

If you're not eligible for that, your only option would Universal Credit which is an income-related benefit. So your partner's wages would reduce the amount you would receive. 

poppy123456

Question answered on another thread with this reply.

HI,

May i ask who advised you to stop working? It's not as simple as that. If you're eligible for SSP from your employer then you would need to claim this with a fit note from your GP for 28 weeks before anything else. See link. https://www.gov.uk/statutory-sick-pay

If you're claiming tax credits then this will continue as normal. If you're not claiming tax credits, then Universal Credit maybe possible while you're claiming SSP BUT as it's a means tested benefit then claiming it will depend on your circumstances and you will need to claim as a couple with your partner. Your partners earnings and your SSP will be counted as income. Using a benefits calculator will help you know what you maybe entitled to, if anything.

If you're not entitled to UC then once your SSP ends then you maybe able to claim New style ESA but this is based on your NI contributions in the previous 2 tax years from working. If you've paid enough then you'll be able to claim this. Hope this helps.

ozzy19721968

Hi poppy I have been for dexa scan and been told that bones in my spine and hip are weak and a fall could fracture my spine or hip I have 6 months company sick pay but from what I have seen them do they let you go sick for 8nweeks then go down the road of paying you off that's what they have been doing to other staff members .I have trouble walking and standing due to other medical conditions i only applied for pip as i was advised to but I havent got a clue how  the benefits system works as it has been over ten yrs since I last claimed anything like job seekers .I would rather work if I could my gp wants me to stop working and has offered to sign me off as unfit to work said I would rather keep going for as long as I can but I do struggle every day just getting out of bed most days is so painful never mind getting down stairs is a nightmare 

poppy123456

Unless you're self employed your employer must legally pay you SSP for 28 weeks and not 8 weeks. See link.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/work/rights-at-work/sick-pay/check-if-youre-entitled-to-sick-pay/ you will of course need to speak to your GP regarding the fit note if you're not able to work.

If your employer refuses to pay you SSP for those 28 weeks then there are ways around this, see link here. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/work/rights-at-work/pay/problems-getting-paid/

Or you could speak to your employer about reasonable adjustments in the work place, they maybe able to decrease your hours so that you can continue to work. See link. https://www.gov.uk/reasonable-adjustments-for-disabled-workers

Claiming PIP doesn't automatically entitle you to claim any other benefits, it depends on your circumstances.For the New style ESA you can start a claim 3 months before the SSP is due to end but you won't receive any payments until SSP ends. When the time comes you'll need your SSP1 form from your employer and the fit note from your GP.

If you've paid enough NI contributions in the previous 2 tax years then New style ESA is £73.10 per week payable for 52 weeks only, unless you're placed into the support group and then it's paid for as long as you remain in that group.