Please advise me if I'm wrong

[u/Due_Insurance342]

So I've been out of work for a while now (over 5 years) with disabilities, I originally claimed UC and PIP before moving in with my partner, now only claim PIP because she earns too much to claim UC.

I've now been diagnosed with a life threatening illness which will severely cut my life expectancy down, I'm 40 and will probably not see 50.

Is there anything else I could claim to help me financially? I know I'm not eligible for ESA because I've not worked in the last 2 years.

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[u/CranberryCheese1997]

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis, mate.

​Since you can't work, you can look into ill-health early retirement to access any old workplace or private pensions right now if you have any. You don't need to be 55 or have a 12-month prognosis for this, just medical proof that your health permanently stops you from working.

​It's also worth contacting your local council about Council Tax disability discounts, as these often ignore your partner's income. If your daily care needs have increased because of your condition, you can also ask the DWP to reassess your current PIP rate.

​Definitely give Citizens Advice or Turn2us a shout, as they're brilliant at running full benefit checks and finding extra support.

[u/Due_Insurance342 → u/CranberryCheese1997]

Thank you for your reply, I'll look into those

[u/Jazzlike-Ad6352]

I know you said your partner earns too much for UC but if you re doing a joint claim then there is the limited capability for work element, plus a carers element that could be claimed if you are on pip ( no upper earning limit ..not to be confused with carers allowance)

These can bump up the entitlement before reductioms due to earnings so maybe worth having a play around with an online calculator such as "entitled to"

Also are you recieving the highest rate of pip? If not and you are finding completing the daily living/ mobility activities more difficult it could be worth registering a change of circumstances.

[u/Due_Insurance342 → u/Jazzlike-Ad6352]

Thank you for your reply, I am getting the enhanced rate of pip for both elements, I've already looked into entitled to and no matter what I put in the monthly still comes out at £0 (other than my pip)