Benefits help?!

sjb83

Hi,

I have been signed off from work by my doctor and am now claiming Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). Currently at week 4 of the initial 13 week assessment stage.
I am currently living with my parents, aged 28 and not working at all.

I have 2 questions really.

1. I am wondering if there are more benefits that I may be able to claim. I have to pay my parents rent but have not been able to because of my low-income. I know that it may affect things that I am living with my parents but am wondering if there is anything else I can claim to increase my income as I'm struggling on the amount that ESA pays.

2. I would, at some point, like to move into my own rented accommodation as I don't want to stay with my parents forever. I am very worried that I will not be able to manage on benefits if I was to do this. Can anyone advise which other benefits/tax credits, etc. I might be able to claim and how much they might be for. For example, I don't know how I would manage a deposit on the rent for my own place as saving is out of the question at present. Also how much housing benefit I might be able to claim in relation to how much rent is on a property, what sort of price band should I be looking at for a property?

I would appreciate if you were able to point me in the right direction.

Many thanks in advance.

BigAunty

You can double check your current and proposed circumstances on the Turn 2 us online benefit calculator.

You can identify the LHA (local housing allowance rate) you are entitled to on the Direct Gov website. This will work out as a sum equivalent to the bottom third of average local rents. If you are under 25 (this will soon change to 35 in april, I think), single and without disabilities or dependents, you will entitled to a rate equivalent to a room in a shared house.

Some local councils operate a deposit guarantee scheme for low income/housing need tenants. Check if yours does.

If your illness gives you care or mobility needs, look into Disability Living Allowance.

Housing benefit (LHA) isn't payable to tenants who live in the same properties as their landlord to whom they are closely related so your keep is expected to come out of your ESA. Are you struggling with affording house keeping payments to them because of debts, for example?

McKneff

You cant claim anything if you are living with your parents.

ESA is to help you with your living costs, this is for contributing to the household in which you are living so you should be giving your parents some board and lodge out of it, however low your income. Are you paying debts
off, if not what are you doing with your ESA

ESA is not meant to be 'pocket money'

BigAunty

Do you get SSP?

These links are handy

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/housing-benefit

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/benefits-check

McKneff

If you are signed off from work why are you claiming ESA and not getting paid SSP from your employer

rogerblack

DLA, if appropriate.