Out of work due to ongoing illness, what benefits can I claim? Need urgent advice..

LeChatNoir

Hi all, first time poster but long-time lurker! Hopefully you can offer some advice on my situation.

I haven't been working for over a year now due to mental illness, and feel unable to take on a job. I have been diagnosed with depression by my GP, and it has been an ongoing problem since around 2008 but gotten worse recently. I don't know if it makes any difference, but I feel I should mention that I am not on any medication or receiving any particular therapy at the moment (although I have taken prescribed medication in the past for several years).

Up until this point I have been living on my savings, but they are rapidly running out and I'm not sure what to do. I am living in rented accommodation which means that my outgoings every month are quite high, despite not doing much of anything in particular (I don't go on nights out drinking, etc.)

I am not in receipt of any benefits, and prior to leaving work had been working either part- or full-time since around 2008. I have never claimed any benefits either, not even JSA during any short periods of unemployment.

The problem I have is that my lifestyle is becoming unsustainable and it's causing me a lot of stress and worry. I know I can't get back into work right now, but I fear that the money I have left is only going to last me the next three months or so maximum. I want to move to cheaper rented accommodation in a nearby city to save money, but because I'm out of work estate agents won't give me a look-in. I know I could potentially claim Housing and Council Tax Benefit, but landlords/agents that accept DSS where I'm looking to move are few and far between. I'm worried to apply for any kind of Housing Benefit where I am now because I took on my current flat when I was in work, and I fear that I might not be able to continue living here if I am in receipt of DSS. Obviously there have never been any problems with me paying the rent on my current property, so the letting agent is unaware of my change in employment status.

Can anyone please advise on what I should do?

Thank you so much in advance for any help.

Bollotom

First get down the Job Centre and get advice. Then your local Housing Department to find out about HB (LHA) and CT reductions. You landlord doesn't have to know you're on benefits but make sure you'll have enough to cover the rent, utilities and food bill. See medical support staff and if you have a mental health professional in your area all the better. Don't leave anything until tomorrow, do it now and find out where your local food bank is. Best of luck :cool:

LeChatNoir

Hi Bollotom, thanks for your advice.

I wasn't aware that my landlord didn't need to know about the benefits situation, that's really good to know. I really need to move to a different city soon though as it would be a great help to myself and my flatmate to live somewhere a bit cheaper anyway, and where we are now is massively inconvenient for both of us (she is looking for a new job in that particular area too).

If I was in receipt of housing benefit when we moved would I need to declare it to a new landlord? I've been searching for a new place to live recently and all I keep seeing everywhere in the adverts is 'no DSS' or 'working professionals only'.

Also, does it make any difference that I live with someone else? My friend that I live with is basically my carer at this point, but is looking for part-time work.

Thanks again.

Pricivius

Sorry to disagree, but my understanding is that some landlords do need to know whether you are on benefits. If they do, they should have included this in your tenancy agreement so check the wording to find out whether it would be a breach of the agreement not to tell the landlord.

Some landlords are not allowed to let to tenants on benefits under the terms of their buy to let mortgage and I understand there may also be problems with some insurance policies.

LeChatNoir

Thanks Pricivus, I had a feeling that might be the case.

I feel like I'm really between a rock and a hard place here - do you think it would be possible to move to a new place (if I were to find a property that actually allowed Housing Benefit) and then apply for HB from that point, or do you actually have to be in receipt of it already?

The whole thing is a total nightmare

ArtoDeeto

Isabella89 wrote: »

I have never claimed any benefits either, not even JSA during any short periods of unemployment.
I know I could potentially claim Housing and Council Tax Benefit, but landlords/agents that accept DSS where I'm looking to move are few and far between. I'm worried to apply for any kind of Housing Benefit where I am now because I took on my current flat when I was in work, and I fear that I might not be able to continue living here if I am in receipt of DSS.
Can anyone please advise on what I should do?

I think firstly you should phone up and claim ESA if things are that bad. DO put in a claim for Housing Benefit - it can be paid to you direct so why tell the landlord. The benefits system is meant to help people in your position so don't feel afraid - sounds like you have paid lots of tax in the past...

Morglin

Pricivius wrote: »

Sorry to disagree, but my understanding is that some landlords do need to know whether you are on benefits. If they do, they should have included this in your tenancy agreement so check the wording to find out whether it would be a breach of the agreement not to tell the landlord.

Some landlords are not allowed to let to tenants on benefits under the terms of their buy to let mortgage and I understand there may also be problems with some insurance policies.

The government stated, last year (when it was arranged to pay all tenants their HB direct) that no tenant, regardless of their agreement, is legally obliged to inform their landlord if all or part of their rent is being paid by HB.

The OP should get some advice from the CAB.

Lin

pmlindyloo

Morglin wrote: »

The government stated, last year (when it was arranged to pay all tenants their HB direct) that no tenant, regardless of their agreement, is legally obliged to inform their landlord if all or part of their rent is being paid by HB.

The OP should get some advice from the CAB.

Lin

Whilst this is true in reality most landlords/estate agents will find out during their 'checks'.

Since the OP is out of work there will be no work history. Most landlords/estate agents need evidence that a tenant can pay the rent and will want proof of this, either through bank statements (where the benefit payments will appear) or by some other means.

I believe (but can find no link) that LL/LAs) cannot put 'no DSS/similar ' in the contract as this would be an unfair clause. But, to put it simply, they have other ways of finding out.

Having said that landlords do rent to people receiving benefits. It is just a case of looking and looking until you find one. Not using a letting agency is, possibly, the best approach.

In the circumstances the OP may want to stay where they are. If they haven't claimed HB in the last year then they will receive a 13 week protection period during which the full rent will be paid. This will give the OP time to sort everything out.

On the other point, the flatmate may cause problems. How are they funding their living? The flatmate will have to be declared on the HB application.

Caz3121

Isabella89 wrote: »

Also, does it make any difference that I live with someone else? My friend that I live with is basically my carer at this point, but is looking for part-time work.
.

Is he planning on moving with you?
How is your current tenancy agreement worded, are you both named as tenants responsible for half the rent each?