Means Test after 12 months of ESA

I might be jumping the gun, but as I have already been in receipt of ESA for over a year now, I know that even if I am successful with my latest claim for ESA, this will be stopped in April.

My husband is on a very low wage. Does anyone know how the means test will be carried out? Is it just black and white, i.e if partner works more than 24 hours or has some limited savings, that is enough to fail the means test, or will it be based on partner's wage slip for a period of time, or bank statements?

thanks, Mel

Mel wrote:

I might be jumping the gun, but as I have already been in receipt of ESA for over a year now, I know that even if I am successful with my latest claim for ESA, this will be stopped in April.

My husband is on a very low wage. Does anyone know how the means test will be carried out? Is it just black and white, i.e if partner works more than 24 hours or has some limited savings, that is enough to fail the means test, or will it be based on partner's wage slip for a period of time, or bank statements?

thanks, Mel

Hi, with regards to savings you can have upto £16,000.

With regards to a working partner, the partner cannot work more than 24 hours per week.

See 24 hours rule here. :


Your partner's work.

Your partner must not work for more than 24 hours per week. Certain activities are exempt from this rule-
•childminding done in your partner's home
•voluntary work or work done for a charity or voluntary organisation in return for payment to cover your expenses.
•attendance on a training scheme for which a training allowance is paid
•receiving assistance under the New Deal self-employment route
•work as a councillor
•caring for a foster child or providing respite care in your partner's home
•being in receipt of a Sports Council National Lottery award (and no other payment for that sporting activity)
•duties undertaken by part-time firemen, auxiliary coastguards, part-time lifeboat crews, members of a territorial or reserve force.

Your partner will not be classed as being in remunerative work if he or she is-
•mentally or physically disabled and has reduced earnings or works reduced hours as a result of that disability
•involved in a trade dispute
•regularly and substantially caring for someone who is in receipt of Attendance Allowance or the highest or middle rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance.
•in receipt of Carers Allowance
•living in a care home, an Abbeyfield home or an independent hospital and requires personal care

I would assume that your partner would be earning at least minimum wage, as this is a legal requirement.

As for your partners average earnings over a period of time, you would obviously need face to face advice on that, as the advisor would need access to your personal details.

cheers

bro58

Hi Mel, this might be worth having a look at;

www.direct.gov.uk/en/Diol1/DoItOnline/Do...ByCategory/DG_172666

Best wishes,
Rachel

Thanks Bro and Rachel, I am beginning to wonder, looking at all the info, whether we would be better off if my husband gave up work. He left a teaching career due to stress, and now works as a carer. So much for the reforms getting people back to work!!!

Hi! Mel.
My wife has worked three jobs for the last 7 years and shes just lost one. Which has lost us £300/ month in wages + £280/month working tax credit so £580 a month short.
However we have thought long and hard about her getting another job as come April and means testing we are better of her not working.(as what she earns will be taken off me)
If she keeps her jobs £58/week (this would come of my benefit)we would only get 30% (£69) mortgage intrest paid against £239 in time; if she doesent + full council tax paid (we pay £114/ month now)plus free school meals for the kids this is another £100/month we spend now.
This goes a long way to replacing the money we have lost plus no transport costs.
Only other way out is for me to find work and i would dearly love that but i wont hold my breath?