Questions about ESA income based.

Anne1234_2

Hi everyone
I have some questions on behalf of my relative that intends to apply for ESA.
She has recently split from her partner who she was living with, she left her job as things in the relationship came to a head and she decided to try to get back to her home town as soon as possible. (She lives with her partner about 200 miles from her home town) she has received a fit note from her doctor so that she can find accommodation and go back to her home town. She also suffers from anxiety and depression which is now being treated. Once she moves she will have to register with a new doctor in order to to receive treatment and fit notes.. so she needs sufficient time to do this - hence the fit note. I believe that the relationship had become abusive, which is why she wants to get out as soon as possible.
My question is; she is not eligible for contribution based esa because she had a gap in her employment in the last 2 complete tax years..
So this means she will need to claim income based esa.
Will her housing benefit come from her council or will it be in the form of universal credit? She is worried about this as it is around 7 weeks until a universal credit payment is made. And she is more concerned about how she will pay her rent than anything else.
Also I have read that there are 7 waiting days for esa... does this apply even if the fit note covers those first 7 days?
Also with universal credit there is a further 7 processing days..do these apply to income based esa?
Thanks for your help.

NeilCr

Housing Benefit forms part of Universal Credit

Information here on UC

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/

This includes advance payments which may be of help to your relative

Does she know that UC is operating in her old town? Has she considered applying for PIP?

And some info on waiting days
http://www.cpag.org.uk/content/waiting-days-jsa-and-esa

TELLIT01

There are 7 waiting days for ESA irrespective of having a fit note. Whether she will be on ESA or UC depends totally on whether the area she claims in has implemented UC for sickness claims yet. Most haven't.

Anne1234_2

Is that definitely correct Tellit?
I think the main reason she hoped to apply for housing benefit through the council was so she would likely receive a payment in time for her next rent due date.....
I don't think an advance will be possible since she has about £600 on her bank account I assume universal credit will consider this sufficient funds to not receive an advance ..
Thanks for your help

McKneff

Could she move in with family till she gets sorted out

Glen_Clark

McKneff wrote: »

Could she move in with family till she gets sorted out

I'm afraid this is the sort of unhelpful question she is likely to get from the DWP passing their responsibility to someone else, so should be prepared for it

Anne1234_2

Unfortunately mckneff most of her immediate family are deceased.. the rest she has no contact with. Not everyone's in a fortunate position as to have a supportive family.

NeilCr

I understand that you are not sure but, if there has been DV, then there are support services out there. In our area, anyway, they can help with moving forward, advice on benefits etc

I am aware it is a delicate subject - just something she may be able to access

NYM

Anne1234 wrote: »

Unfortunately mckneff most of her immediate family are deceased.. the rest she has no contact with. Not everyone's in a fortunate position as to have a supportive family.

Are you not a relative though?

TELLIT01

Anne1234 wrote: »

Is that definitely correct Tellit?
I think the main reason she hoped to apply for housing benefit through the council was so she would likely receive a payment in time for her next rent due date.....
I don't think an advance will be possible since she has about £600 on her bank account I assume universal credit will consider this sufficient funds to not receive an advance ..
Thanks for your help

I'm not clear which part of my reply you are querying, but everything I've said is correct to the best of my knowledge. I haven't said anything about Housing Benefit but, if the claim is for ESA then HB is handled by the council. If the claim ends up being for Universal Credit then HB is part of that 'package'.