Esa change of circumstances partners bank statemen

Hi Funky,
Firstly I think that if you move in with your partner this will be a so-called trigger event.This means that instead of ESA you will have to claim Universal Credit instead. Hence, despite an income issue, your ESA claim will actually end anyway. This will also happen if you move into a different local authority area.
Are you currently receiving contribution based ESA with a means tested top up? If so you may be able to revert to simply having ESAcb. Less money, and unless you are in the support group it would only be paid for a year. ESAcb isn't a couples benefit - it is paid to an individual, irrespective of income is savings. If you are not already on ESAcb you may be able to make a new claim but you will have to satisfy NI Contributions conditions. If you have been in Esa long term you may not be able to do this. Something to consider though.
Depending on your partner's income you may be eligible for UC should you wish to apply.
However, if you do not want to claim UC, and can't/don't want to claim ESAcb, you can notify DWP and simply end your current ESA claim. If you are no longer claiming benefit then there should be no need to disclose partner's income.
If you do want to claim UV then I suspect partner will need to disclose bank statements and payslips as these are usually required. I don't know how far back these might need to go, but it is often for 6 months or a year.It is really only to prove income and or savings. I have known clients black out what is spent, just leaving the actual money amounts. However I'm not totally convinced that DWP won't want an unedited statement.
However, if you do not claim ESAor UC you may not be able to get NI Credits, which means you won't necessarily get a very big State Pension. This becomes increasing important the older you get. It may be possible for your partner to pay in/give you money so you can pay in voluntary NI Contributions to meet any deficit.

It may be worthwhile seeking advice from a specialist benefits adviser to make sure that you are aware of all the relevant information about moving in with a partner and NI credits etc.
Whatever happens it is important to keep DWP and your current local authority totally informed.
Finally, good luck with the new move. It sounds very exciting.
I hope this helps.
LL26

Hi Funky

It all depends if you intend to claim a means tested benefit.

Income related ESA is a means tested benefit, when you and your partner move in together, you incomes will be taken into consideration along with any savings. If you both have savings over £16k then you will not be eligible to claim any means tested benefits and your IR ESA will stop.

If you claim a means tested benefit then yes DWP will expect to see details of any bank accounts, including savings a/c, stock and shares, premium bonds, bank accounts they usually ask for the last 3 months but I have known them to ask for the last two years.

If you are not claiming any means tested benefits then you will not have to show any saving accounts/bank statements.

If you receive PIP then that will carry on as normal.

Gary

Hi Funky,
Having looked at the UC rules again, you can continue to claim ESA, and join your new partner onto your claim. If you do this then his income will be relevant.
Apologies for the original confusion.
LL26

Hi Funky

All you need to do is contact ESA and inform them that you are planning to move in with your partner on such a date and from then you will not be eligible to claim any means tested benefits due to your partners income and savings.

You do not need to say how much they earn or how much savings they have.

Gary