(ir)ESA couple rate NINO requirement?

Hi,

Is there a NINO requirement for both members of the couple claiming (ib)ESA?

The claimant is living alone and in receipt of:

(ir)ESA + SDP premium (about £162/week)
DLA - middle rate care and low rate mobility
HB (he's in interim accommodation, following a homelessness application)

Girlfriend is moving in with him to the interim accommodation so claimant will add her to his homelessness application.

Girlfriend is an A2 national who hasn't yet applied for a NINO.

I note that for HB there is a NINO requirement with an exception to hostels ( The B&B should be classed as a hostel I presume) but I also know that HB is passported if claimant is in receipt of ESA...

So is there a NINO requirement for ESA ?

Is it possible that any of the benefit payments will stop pending the outcome of the application for a NINO ? (it would cause severe hardship).

If an EOI interview is already scheduled does the DWP and LA wait for the outcome or cancel that and schedule a benefit-inspired NINO application?

Thank you for your help,

Best wishes

Marius

And would you please confirm that the first £20 of any member of the couple's income is disregarded and that there is a requirement that no member of the couple on any ESA claim can work more than 24 hours / week

And also that the Carers Premium would be paid on top of the couple rate?

So in this case couple:

Disabled man: (ir) ESA, DLA, HB
Woman: Caring for 35 h / week or more for the man.
Woman is also working 4h/week cleaning a couple of houses getting £20/week...

Would they get the Carers premium (£31/week) on top of the couple rate of £158/week ?

I really appreciate your help

Best wishes

Marius

This is a benefits query, not an immigration query.

Greenie wrote:This is a benefits query, not an immigration query.

Isn't it the claiming benefits section ?

marius22 wrote:

Greenie wrote:This is a benefits query, not an immigration query.

Isn't it the claiming benefits section ?

this forum is an immigration forum - and therefore the claiming benefits section is supposed to be for queries that relate to the immigration issues involved in claiming benefits. Your query is a very technical query regarding entitlement to a benefit and the amount you should recieve - you would be better of seeking advice from a benefits adviser, not on an immigration forum.