Hello

Just a few questions please if somebody is able to help.

1. What are the rules around Income? is there a maximum amount of income that if you are earning you cannot claim Universal Credit?

2. what does subject to immigration control mean? how or who do i check that with? can someone please explain "habitual residence" and "right to reside" in basic english

3. what happens to benefits like esa or housing benefit or tax credits when i claim universal credit? do they stop as soon as i make the claim or am i sent a letter telling me when they will stop and they continue until i get my first universal credit payment?

4. what happens if i am claiming esa and dwp stop it and i have to claim universal credit as i have no other income but i still want to appeal the esa decision? if the esa decision is given in my favour would i then go off universal credit and back onto my old benefits?

would appreciate help with these from someone in the know - thank you so much

Hello there.

Your question two, are you asking it because you haven't always lived in the UK please? Your answer will help us to advise you.

HB

To check what your entitlement to UC might be, try using an online benefit checker like Turn2us, EntitledTo or the CAB. You can input your details anonymously and find out what you could be paid.

HB

I am born here but my partner is from Romania - i was told by job centre i have to make application as a couple

Thank you for that. I don't understand the rules for couples, but here's a link to the CAB about right to reside and so on.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/before-you-apply/eligibility-non-british-citizen/

HB

https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/universal-credit-for-disabled-people

There is plenty of free advice out there such as the link above and the one Honeybee provided earlier.

Also it is worth visiting 'Entitled to' and using their benefit calculator.

Because of the complex way benefits and UC work, plus the various issues you raise, it is a bit dangerous answering questions on an internet forum with any specific information.

Someone from an EEA country such as Romania might be able to claim UK benefits. They would need to provide information to DWP Job Centre plus as part of their benefit claim. If they live in a UC full service area, they would apply for UC. Suggest using 'Entitled to' benefit calculator before any UC claim is started.

If an ESA work capability assessment means that the ESA claim cannot be continued, then DWP will advise the process. If in a UC full service area A new UC claim would need to be started and if your Romanian partner has a UC claim up and running, then both accounts would be joined up as a couple claim.

Check that your postcode is a UC full service area using Entitled to. If you are not in a UC area, then a failed ESA claim, might mean you claim for JSA. Your partner would also claim a legacy benefit JSA or ESA etc as appropriate.

You can only really get an idea of benefit entitlement using a benefit calculator such as Entiltled to. Income level allowed is affected by work capability assessment outcome and all of the other benefit info you add. Up to you to find out for yourself.

Thank you this was helpful

Can I also ask our house is shared ownership can I claim housing element or no? Can i claim only for rent and service charges or for all which includes amount which goes towards us eventually owning the house?

Suggest you apply details to the Benefits calculator and see what it says. If it says you can claim for housing costs or may qualify, then it is up to you to apply and find out. Will depend on your application details .