LHA and ESA, help!!! :(

demilillian

Hi, im 20 years old and on income related esa, I have no idea what rate or premiums my benefit includes, all I know is that im in the support group and recieve £122.50 a week. Im desperately trying to save up to leave home as I need as much independence of my own that I can get.
Im really confused about housing benefit and LHA rates and have no idea what im entitled to, im considering either moving out on my own in my own house or flat or moving in with a friend into a house (my friend works full time)
If I lived with my friend would I get less money?
If anyone could help id be so grateful, as im severly disabled I find it very difficult to do things for myself ans have no parental support so I have no idea what im doing
Thanks in advance! !

Caz3121

Do you receive DLA? you mention you are severely disabled so you should look into this - now called PIP

Under 35's (not receiving DLA and requiring a room for a carer) receive the LHA for shared accommodation. You can chose to live in whatever sized property you wish - shared, one bed, 3 bed...but your payment will be based on the shared accommodation rate and anything extra will need to be funded by your other benefits which also need to cover all your bills - many councils will also require you to pay towards your council tax

BigAunty

Your friend's income should not be taken into account - it is only partners or non-dependents (such as when someone has an adult child living with them) that form part of means tested/income calculations for benefits.

To help you understand your entitlements, use the Turn2us online benefit calculator. Your local council website will indicate the maximum Local Housing Allowance rates and council tax discounts.

Note that if you move into a property whose rent is higher than the LHA rate, you will have to pay for this out of your other existing income - you can apply for discretionary housing payment but shouldn't rely on this as you might not get it and might only get it for a short period. If you move into a place where the top up you must have to pay is high because of the difference between rent and LHA, then this will make you at a higher risk of getting into debt.

Download the MSE budget planner so that you can plan how much it will cost you to live in your own or shared property. You need to understand how much it will cost you in food, energy, telecoms, broadband, tv licence bills, etc.

Here is some info about housing benefit entitlements. It also outlines who is classed as a non-dependent (i.e. not friends or joint tenants) and discretionary housing payment.

http://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/housing-benefit

Prior to the implementation of PIP, under the original benefit of DLA, tenants were entitled to the 1 bedroom rare of LHA if they qualified for the severe disability element of HB. I don't know how this is going to be defined under PIP but you could look into this. Under DLA which is being phased out


"The shared room rate does not apply to single people who have a disability and qualify for the severe disability premium in the assessment of their Housing Benefit
To qualify for a severe disability premium the customer must be in receive one of the following benefits:
The middle or highest rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance. And No one must be receiving Carers Allowance in respect of them"