Benefits entitlement while residing in mental health unit.

steven1811

Hi,


I'm just looking for a little bit information as I'm unfamiliar with the benefits system and after searching around for a while and doing some eligibility checks it states I have no entitlement.


Recently I have been hospitalised into a mental health unit for the foreseeable future. Upon my release I will have no place to live as being in here means I no longer will have my employment either therefore cannot pay my rent to my private landlord. That is not the issue however.


As I no longer have employment and I am going to be in this unit, could I possibly get some input in regards to what I may be entitled to claim if anything in regards to funds for basic living. I'm not after massive amounts of benefits in fact quite the opposite and don't really want to go down that route however things such as toiletries and other essentials that are not provided for me would be useful and without an income it is impossible.


I've worked since the day I turned 16 (17 years without unemployment) so I assumed I would be entitled to some sort of assistance. I'm not physically signed off sick from the doctor as of yet but I could do that no problem. I was told about Universal Credit and I used the eligibility checker which instantly refused me on question 2 even though I don't have savings and I don't see a reason why it would refuse me.


Not having a permanent address right now may be a massive hindrance although I am allowed personal mail to be sent to the unit although I'm from one city and currently the unit I'm in is in the neighbouring city. Does that make a difference?


Could anyone shed any light as to what I may be able to claim until I am can get back into full time employment upon my release. I appreciate JSA would be out of the question as it's difficult to look for employment when in such unit(although I don't believe that is still available anyway).


Any information would be great.


Thank you.

[Deleted User]

ESA and PIP come to mind depending on time frames, could you not ask for help from an advisor at the unit?

steven1811

Thanks for your reply.


It's difficult to get an appointment to speak to anyone as I do believe the person who deals with that is split between a few other sites.


Just going to keep applying and see what they say

theartfullodger

steven1811 wrote: »

....


Recently I have been hospitalised into a mental health unit for the foreseeable future. Upon my release I will have no place to live as being in here means I no longer will have my employment either therefore cannot pay my rent to my private landlord. That is not the issue however..............

Errr.. it might be...

Just because you aren't living somewhere & can't afford to pay does not end your tenancy: The private LL property will still be yours, still your tenancy, still your home: (But large rent arrears - and landlord may well evict and/or take you to court.. - which will take him months). So you could chose to hold onto your current tenancy.. (yes, risks,.....)

You CAN agree with landlord to end the tenancy and shift all your stuff out: But, beware, that would probably be deemed "making yourself intentionally homeless" and so, if in future you applied to the council as homeless they might decline to help or rehouse you.

Just so you are aware.

Best wishes, hope things get better...

GotToChange

I hope you are OK today. It is a minefield but I would think that you are eligible - if you have now lost your job through ill health - for ESA. It's a shame that you cannot get some face-to-face help where you are. You can make an initial claim online or the phone, so you need access to them for starters, and will need the sick (fit) note from your Dr that you say you can get easily.
I am not too sure if you are able to claim Housing Benefit for your private rent while you are away; it probably seems ridiculous to do so but if it covers it, would that not be preferable to having no home when you come out - or, ?worse still, having rent arrears build up. It is, I think, linked to any claim you make for ESA.
You could at this time, get your name on the Council Housing list, your situation is not standard and I wonder if they would NOT see it as making yourself intentionally homeless by non-payment of rent, given these circumstances.
It might depend if they had considered an application for Housing Benefit (which even though linked to ESA usually, can be claimed also when you have "zero income") because if they declined it, THEY are the ones making it impossible for you to stay "in" the property.

Edited to add:
This is from a Rethink factsheet , "Going into Hospital - Money Matters" -
"While you are in hospital, you will automatically meet the criteria for claiming Employment and Support Allowance. If you are not already claiming this benefit, and not getting sick pay, you could think about making a claim".

Edited AGAIN to add:
You can make a claim for PIP - there are some rules; but it will not be paid until you leave hospital.

jobbingmusician

Are you under a section of the Mental Health Act? If so, you have a LEGAL RIGHT to see an Independent Mental Health Advocate (IMHA). They don't normally give benefits advice, but may well be able to help you get in touch with someone who can.

If you are not under section, your local services may still provide access to a more generic advocate. Ask the staff on your ward. (You don't have to tell the staff why you want to see an advocate, BTW.)

Housing_Benefit_Officer

If you have an intention to return to your rental property you can receive Housing Benefit for 52 weeks.

There should be someone who will help you claim Housing Benefit, request backdating and ensure you have a home to return to when you are well again.

They should use your full rental figure for the first 13 weeks of your claim. There is Discretionary Housing Payments you can apply for after 13 weeks if there is a difference between your rent and Housing Benefit received.

steven1811

Hi, late reply sorry as I've had a bad couple of days.


The private property I was renting is still leased to me until the end of this month when my tenancy agreement runs out and although I was thinking of applying for a little help from housing benefit the landlord will not accept that and has told me he will not be renewing my tenancy agreement.


I have now been in contact with my local council to add my name to the housing list. It isn't such an issue though as if I don't have any place f my own when leaving here I have plenty friends who can offer me somewhere until I can find a property.


Again I was refused Universal Credit without being given a reason so I'm going to apply for ESA or at least speak to someone from a benefits office over the phone to see if I can establish what's best going forward.


I appreciate the replies.


Have a nice day.

cattie

If you are losing your accommodation due to being hospitalised, then as time draws near to you being discharged from the hospital, there should be a cpn or similar who can recommend you, as a vulnerable person with a mental illness, for council/housing association accommodation upon release . It could mean being placed into a hostel first before you are offered something permanent though.

Good luck anyway.

steven1811

Hi all,

Just looking for a little extra help.

I was released last week and moved into a new flat. I'm currently looking for work but in the mean time I get £146.20 every 2 weeks.

The flat I moved into was part of the conditions of my release and have to reside here for 2 years.

Before hospital I had a fully furnished flat but due to not having the income I couldn't afford storage so gave it away/binned it.

The issue I have is that this flat was unfurnished but its difficult to furnish a flat on so little money.

I have claimed benefit for 6 months so can't get a government grant to help towards this.

Can anyone think of anything I would be entitled to so that I can put towards furnishing this flat?

I don't intend on being out if work long but some sort of government assistance wouldn't go a miss right now. I have exhausted all other avenues and my CPN is not very helpful which is a shame.

Thanks for your help.

IAmWales

Do you have any furniture projects/ charities in your area? Charities that help the ex homeless may help you also.

Your CPN should be supporting you with this, discharging you to unfurnished accommodation is not acceptable. Sadly they're so stretched that you are more likely to get help from a charity.

If you're struggling to find anywhere suitable, if you let us know your area we can look also.