ESA & Housing Benefit HElp

MrStarship

Hi, my friend was on a work releated ESA and now been moved into the ESA support group or something along those lines within the last couple of months. He informed local council or authority about change in circumstances as he should doin June and they are still processing it. The council don't appear to be very helpful either.

How long does a change of circumstances process take. Obviously, very much struggling with rent and other issues as is privately rented.

Or

Is there anything else that can be done to assist.

*Edit*

Just spoke to him and confirmed that the DWP informed local council around the 9th July. He did not have to inform local council/housing people s DWP did that.

DomRavioli

Each local authority is different - your friend would need to contact them to find out how long any backlog is, and if any proofs need to be sent to them. Each local authority administers their own housing benefit, so what is for one, is different for another.

You could get basic information on general timescales, but you wouldn't be able to discuss someone else's HB/benefits without either appointeeship or full DPA to act on their behalf.

Your friend needs to contact the local authority in the first instance - then depending on what is said/confirmed, then more help can be provided.

BigAunty

Isn't there a process to secure an interim housing benefit payment? Something along the lines that the council is obliged to do this after 2 weeks if a HB claimant has submitted all the relevant information but the council hasn't processed it? Or does this only apply to a completely new claim rather than a change.

Also, if his rent is higher than his HB, he can ask for discretionary housing payment which the council doesn't have to give but may for a temporary amount of time.

Horseunderwater

If he is really struggling & is omly on contributions type - he should switch to income related ESA as that would gt him another £15.55/week.
Also if he gets mid/high rate care of DLA or either rate of PiP care & lives alone with no one claiming carers allowance then he'd also get the severe dis payment of £61.10 extra/week as well as extra premiums for the LHA. All this would help.

Housing_Benefit_Officer

MrStarship wrote: »

Hi, my friend was on a work releated ESA and now been moved into the ESA support group or something along those lines within the last couple of months. He informed local council or authority about change in circumstances as he should doin June and they are still processing it. The council don't appear to be very helpful either.

How long does a change of circumstances process take. Obviously, very much struggling with rent and other issues as is privately rented.

Or

Is there anything else that can be done to assist.

*Edit*

Just spoke to him and confirmed that the DWP informed local council around the 9th July. He did not have to inform local council/housing people s DWP did that.

At my Local Authority we are fully automated so when an electronic notification of a DWP/HMRC award or change is received our system updates itself.

nannytone_2

when i was moved from the WRAG yp yjr dupport group, i actually found out by receiving a letter from the council saying that 'because of a change in circumstances due to the support element of ESA'...
looks like my councils system is fully automated