Carer and Blind Partner Considering 'Living Apart' After Struggling On Universal Credit

A carer who looks after his blind partner said the couple may have to 'split up' after claiming their benefits have been cut.

Martin Johnson, who is a full-time carer for his partner Graham Atkinson, said the couple are £700 worse off per month since the introduction of Universal Credit.

The couple, from Kings Norton, said they have struggled to pay their bills since the benefits system changed in January.

"We have no life and are constantly having to rely on family and friends for money," Martin, aged 44, said.

The couple also said that because they live together, they are only entitled to certain benefit, under the new Universal Credit structure.

"We would be financially better off living as single people," Martin added.

"How is that even right?

"We have worked out that if we live apart, we could be entitled to more money.

"So because we are being honest and declaring our situation, it is as though we are being penalised for it.

"Graham is blind and cannot live on his own.

"But we are getting to the stage where we are just existing.

"We can't go out or do anything.

"And this is all down to when we had to change over to Universal Credit."

Image courtesy Birmingham Live: Graham Atkinson (left) is blind and is looked after full time by his carer and partner Martin Johnson

Martin Johnson and Graham Atkinson said they cannot afford to eat

Graham receives a Personal Independent Payment (PIP) allowance for his disability, which used to be support by Employment Support Allowance (ESA).

But Graham is no longer receiving the ESA part of his benefits since the couple started claiming Universal Credit.

Universal Credit helps with living costs and has replaced six separate benefits, including Employment Support Allowance.

Martin receives a Carers Allowance, which used to be supported by an ESA 'top-up.

Martin still receives the Carers Allowance but said his ESA top up has now ceased.

On top of that, Martin said the couple now have to pay their own rent and council tax, which they were not expected to pay before.

Martin also claims that Graham has to attend a 'capability assessment' to see whether he would be fit to work.

If Graham is deemed unfit to work, he may then be able to start claiming the ESA again, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed.

"Graham is blind, he cannot work," Martin added.

"It is ridiculous, and it seems that they are admitting there is a problem but we have been told it could take up to six months to sort it all out.

"This has been going on since January and we have no money to cover the bills.

"We can't even afford to eat.

"We have used the foodbanks but we can’t even go there anymore because we have used it three times already.

"I don't know why they had to change the system when it was working perfectly fine already.

"It is just leaving people in a mess and financially worse off.

"I cannot work because Graham needs round the clock care.

"I used to have a job but it wasn't working out because I was getting home too late and Graham was struggling to cope on his own."

A Department for Work and Pensions spokesman said: “We’re committed to helping people into work while making sure the right care is in place for those who can’t. We’re supporting Mr Atkinson and Mr Johnson in their claim. Unlike the previous system, Universal Credit is more targeted, and support is focused on those who need it most.

“As people’s circumstances change, their claim will be updated to make sure they are receiving the appropriate support.”

ABC Note: Across the country food bank use is soaring becaue of Universal Credit. Up four times in some areas. The ABC are hearing a constant stream of complaints about Universal Credit.