HI EVERYONE Any advice welcome. UC/PIP

My wife and I are both disabled and our joint mixed couple claim for ESA ceased on my birthday 21.1.24 when I became state pension age at 66. I get DLA as well at present so our total income is around £1,100 a month. At present we get help with council tax and water rates. CAB have adviced that we need to apply for UC jointly and PIP for my wife. My question is do we apply for one or both benefits at the same time and assuming these are succesful does our help with council tax and water cease. Also, can we apply for universal credit by post. Thanks in advance.

We are in a similar situation with my partner being a pensioner as of October 23. It's been hell with the UC, transferring from ESA. You will most probably have to be on your partners UC claim - a joint claim if you need HB. My partner said he cared for me so he's on my online UC account as a partner but has not been told to do any job activity, he gets a full pension & doesn't claim Pension Credit. I get PIP but it's under review as I write. Partner has liver failure and a severe form of arthritis but we haven't claimed for PIP for him. As Gordon here says can you cope with doing two sets of PIP claims? It's hard going for us as it is with grandchildren and his elderly mum (93yo) to keep an eye on whilst having periods of v bad health. I'd say get what you and your partner are entitled to but be prepared for a lot of strain. Without this site I couldn't do it. The moral support here is as necessary as the specific benefit advice/guidance.