How to start from scratch claiming?

tuggy

Hello - I have never claimed anything and do not know how to start. It is for my sister but she needs help to get started.

Background:

We're in Scotland
Sister has learning difficulties and receives middle rate DLA
Was in college with "supported accommodation"
Council told us this week they cant afford it anymore so college cut short.
She is 21

She can just about live alone but definately needs to be near family to help her with shopping and check she isnt being taken advantage of (she is very generous and bad with money!)

So there is the chance for her to privatly rent a flat next door to me which is PERFECT

She has also been accepted onto a 3 day a week course at the local college

She doesnt work, and cannot work (learning diabilities too severe)

So I hope she is entitled to get her rent paid, her council tax paid... but how does she afford her food, bills etc? She cant get job seekers as there is no way she would be a job seeker. she cant work.

DLA is something like £200 a month. Her rent would be £400 a month and thats without bills or ctax.

Is there a form I can fill in for her? I genuinely have no idea where to start. Can I do it online for her?

Please, if anyone can give me a nudge in the right direction that would be great. The council have dropped us in the !!!! by only telling us 3 days before she was due to go back to the residential accommodation that they didnt have the funding for it anymore!

Indie_Kid

is the course classed as full-time?

tuggy

I'm not sure... would that make a difference?

Duncombe

Is there a reason why your sister can't move in with you, rather than renting the flat next door? That would save everyone money...

Oldernotwiser

Your sister should be claiming ESA as well as LHA and CTC. Whether her course is full or part time is irrelevent.

tuggy

Duncombe wrote: »

Is there a reason why your sister can't move in with you, rather than renting the flat next door? That would save everyone money...

Yes, just that we dont have any spare bedrooms and my sister would rather her independance (as much as possible). To be honest I'd rather my independance from her as well

tuggy

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Your sister should be claiming ESA as well as LHA and CTC. Whether her course is full or part time is irrelevent.

Thank you so much, I will use this as a starting point then! Just have to try and get hold of the forms now, anyone know if they are online, or if I should pick them up from somewhere?

Mojisola

I don't know if it's the same in Scotland but our council has Welfare Rights Officers. If so, get an appointment with them for you and your sister. They will take you through everything and fill in the forms.

If not, try someone like DIAL UK - https://www.dialuk.info/