carers

HI Sharon,

If someone is entitled to free NHS treatment then this includes dental treatment as well as eye tests and prescriptions. They don't have to claim working tax credit to get free dental treatment.

Thanks for the information

Hi Denise  I also get E.S.A. I GET FREE TREATMENT BUT MY WIFE DOES NOT  AND SHE EARNS NO MONEY

Hi,

As she's your wife you should be claiming as a couple, if this isn't the case then why aren't you claiming as a couple. Claiming as a couple will entitle you BOTH to free NHS treatment for all the things i mentioned above.

The easiest way to work this out for you is by asking how much ESA per week so you receive and which group are you in the Support Group or WRAG? do you both claim either DLA and PIP, if so is it mid/high rate care DLA or daily living PIP that either of you claim?

Answer those questions and i'll gladly help you further.

How do you go about claiming as a couple thanks denise

You need to ring ESA. I do not understand why you're not already claiming as a couple, you should be. It's possible you are and you don't realise. Which group are you in for ESA and i'll tell you how much per week you should be claiming. If you can also answer my other questions above i'll be able to help you more.

Hi Denise I get £109.30 a week E.S.A. also get P.I.P. ENHANCED £82.30 A WEEK AND ENHANCED £57.45 MOBILITY. WIFE GETS  CARERS AND D.L.A. MIDDLE £55.65 AND £22.OO MOBILTY

That's Support Group Contribution based ESA. Did you transfer from Incapacity benefit? If so then this could be why you're claiming Contribution based. They owe you a lot of money if this is the case.

I would urge you to ring ESA first thing Monday morning. As couple rate ESA you should be claiming the following.

Couples rate Support Group £151.40 per week

Enhanced disability premium couples £22.85 per week. Total weekly ESA £174.25 per week.

The Carers Allowance will then be taken off the ESA and a Carers premium of £34.60 per week will be added and Carers Allowance will then pay her.

BUT because you both claim a qualifying disability benefit you can both claim Severe disability premium on top of the ESA. For this your wife will have to cancel the Carers Allowance. You can't claim couples SDP if someone claims Carers allowance for you. Couples rate SDP is £124.90 per week EXTRA on top of the ESA amount.

Total money for couples ESA plus all the premiums will be...£299.15 per WEEK. You will then both be entitled to claim free NHS dental, eye tests and prescriptions. This amount is without your PIP and DLA per month.

I know it's very complicated but trust me with this one, i honestly wouldn't advice you if i knew i wasn't correct. You will need to ring ESA first thing Monday morning to get your wife added onto your ESA claim. You also need to make sure you're claiming the INCOME RELATED top up ( which is all the premiums i mentioned above) Hope you understand this.

 

Hi Denise. Thanks for your help I will phone first thing Monday it may be my own fault as I did not tell E.S.A. WE ONLY GOT MARRIED YEAR AND HALF AGO AFTER CANCER DIAGNOSIS AND ONLY LIVED TOGETER FOR JUST OVER FOUR YEARS BUT BEEN TOGETHER 16YEARS JUST THOUGHT THEY WOULD HAVE KNOWN .

No problem. You do realise that you should always report a change in circumstances. They won't know unless you report it or someone else does. Good luck.

Hi Denise. Phoned E.S.A. this morning and did not help me all they went on about was when did I receive my own pension they did not know I was getting surely that was why I was in contribution based  in any case they just tie you in knots now I am scared money will be cut regards

Perfectly simple explanation. A person can claim Carers Allowance for looking after someone even if they claim a disability benefit their self. The only time that it maybe questioned is if the person claiming the CA has the SAME conditions as the other person.

For example. My daughter and myself claim PIP. I claim Carers Allowance for her because the reasons i claim PIP are totally different to the reasons she claims PIP. Mine in physical and hers is mental health.

Being on pension credit allows you FREE NHS treatment for dental, glasses and prescriptions. I have no idea where you got that info from but it's wrong. Pension Credit is a means tested benefit the same as JSA/ESA and Income Support and all of these allow FREE NHS treatment as i stated in a previous post. Thanks.

Yes, i understand the benefit system and thats why i give the advice i do.

For your glasses when claiming free NHS eye tests you'll be given a voucher with a certain amount of money that will alllow you a maxium amount towards your glasses. Anything extra that you choose then yes of course you have to pay for. The same as everyone. NHS will only allow you so much. lol

Hi Sarah . Denise is right it was D.W.P told her to claim for the very reason's sometimes they tell you what you should be claiming

Hi Denise. Just to let you know I got it all sorted out by phone to-day thanks for your help

That's great. You're welcome. Glad i could help.

Hi Denise. do you know what happens to the benefits if you on P.I.P. & E.S.A. & you reach state pension age and if being married to younger women when does she get hers is it single or married rates

Hi Thomas,

I'm afraid that's way beyond my knowledge. I have many many years to go yet before i reach pension age and my knowledge is very limited in the department. I wouldn't want to advice you incorrectly.

If no one else answers your question here then i'd advice making an appointment with your local CAB.

Hi Denise. Thanks once again