I have Bipolar and have been claiming contribution-based ESA (as well as DLA). My 365 days of contribution-based ESA runs out on 27th July. I (wrongly it seems!) assumed I would be seamlessly transferred to income-based ESA because my fiancee doesn't work (she still gets income support for her M.E. and hasn't been migrated yet). However when I rang today the person I spoke to suggested that since we are a couple either she would need to be added to my ESA claim or I would need to be added as part of a couple to her Income Support. If I did the latter it would mean quite a drop in income - a single person gets £77 a week Income Support but a couple gets only £111. However, although I know everyone on Income Support will be migrated to ESA before or during 2014, I feel the whole process of applying for ESA and possibly having to attend a medical would be too stressful for my fiancee since she suffers from panic and anxiety disorder. Given that, is my first instinct (to get added to her Income Support claim as her partner) the right one, despite the financial hardship? Or is there any other information which should affect our decision? Thanks in advance for any insight or information anyone is able to give.
