I was just wondering about ESA… I am on my way to an appeal against being put on the WRAG as I believe I should be on the Support group!
Anyway I am on controbution base as I live with my partner who works 37 hours a week, We were plaining to get married next May 2013 which has been on and off planned since 2009 because of money problems… I was wondering if Becoming a MRS would make any difference to my claim? as they already treat us like a married couple.
I know that PIP shouldn’t count being no means tested but I am really unsure about ESA anymore…
I can’t see how or why being married would make any difference to your claim. But a partner’s income (whether married or not) eventually will.
Contribution-based ESA, as the name suggests, is based only on your NI contribution record: if you’ve paid enough contributions in the last two years, you can get it, regardless of income.
However, as I understand it, contribution-based ESA only lasts a year these days. After that, you’ll move to the means-tested variety, which WILL take account of total household income - including that of a partner.
I believe, though, that if you are put in the Support group, the contribution-based doesn’t end after one year. So if your appeal succeeds, your partner’s income will never become relevant (doesn’t mean it’s not relevant for any benefit - just not for that one).
I’m sure one of our resident benefits experts will correct me if I’m wrong.