Help? I just don't understand

GoodGrief2019

I'm dealing with long-term severe mental health problems.
I'm on ESA in the Support Group and get the Enhanced Disability Premium. I live alone.

I live in private rented accommodation and have been on Housing Benefit which partially covers my rent (the rest of the rent I have to take from my ESA payments.)
I now have to move because my landlord is selling the flat.

Moving to a new borough. I just contacted the new borough/council I am moving to and they said they no longer pay LHA and that I will have to apply for UC.
How will this affect my ESA?


Will it trigger a brand new medical assessment?


I looked at the online form for Universal Credit and it asked loads of health related questions, as if it was a new ESA claim.


My support worker had assured me that since I am on ESA I would have no issues claiming my rent in my new home. That is clearly NOT the case. I'm feeling suicidal now as I cannot cope with any more setbacks at present.


What do I do?

poppy12345

Do you claim PIP daily living or DLA mid/high rate care? If you do then you should be claiming the severe disability premium in with your ESA, this will prevent you from claiming UC.


If you don't claim either of those then moving to a different local council will mean you'll need to claim UC for help with your rent. This will mean your ESA will transfer to UC. You will not need to go through another work capability assessment because your ESA Support Group will be honoured in UC and you'll receive the LCWRA in your award, however, this may not be done straight away as is often the case. This means that you could be short in your UC payments.


Also be aware that UC is paid monthly but you can apply for an advance payment when you claim UC but this will need to be repaid back from future UC payments.

GoodGrief2019

Thank you


I used to get DLA but I let it expire as I was nervous about having to have another medical. My doctor has urged me to claim DLA or PIP again.


I might do it and then if I do get it will not have to deal with UC.


Obviously switching the ESA to UC is OK but it sounds like you have to meet with some kind of "work coach" to verify your identity and generally !!!!!! about

GoodGrief2019

poppy12345 wrote: »

If you don't claim either of those then moving to a different local council will mean you'll need to claim UC for help with your rent. .

What would happen if I just moved in with a family member and didn't need to claim housing benefit/help with rent? Could my ESA claim just continue as normal if I don't need to apply for help with housing?

poppy12345

GoodGrief2019 wrote: »

Thank you


I used to get DLA but I let it expire as I was nervous about having to have another medical. My doctor has urged me to claim DLA or PIP again.


I might do it and then if I do get it will not have to deal with UC.


Obviously switching the ESA to UC is OK but it sounds like you have to meet with some kind of "work coach" to verify your identity and generally !!!!!! about

You can't claim DLA anymore, PIP has replaced it. A PIP claim can take several months, sometimes longer so if you're planning on moving soon then this isn't going to help and you'll need to claim UC.


First appointment to confirm identity can be in your own home if you're unable to attend your local job centre.


If you move in with family and no claim for help with any rent is needed then you can stay on ESA but you moving in with them could affect any benefits they claim.

calcotti

GoodGrief2019 wrote: »

What would happen if I just moved in with a family member and didn't need to claim housing benefit/help with rent? Could my ESA claim just continue as normal if I don't need to apply for help with housing?

Yes your ESA claim would continue - you would just need to notify DWP about your change of address.

GoodGrief2019

calcotti wrote: »

Yes your ESA claim would continue - you would just need to notify DWP about your change of address.

Thanks for the reply. The family member in question is not on any benefits. It's not an ideal situation but may be for the best as my health issues are out of control at the moment and I'm not in a fit state to be able to organise a UC application

calcotti

GoodGrief2019 wrote: »

Thanks for the reply. The family member in question is not on any benefits. It's not an ideal situation but may be for the best as my health issues are out of control at the moment and I'm not in a fit state to be able to organise a UC application

Only thing to consider is that if family member is a single adult household they may have a 25% discount on their Council Tax. If you live with them long term and change your address to their address they are no longer entitled to this.

GoodGrief2019

calcotti wrote: »

Yes your ESA claim would continue - you would just need to notify DWP about your change of address.

Is that definitely the case? My support worker said she's now spoken to somebody at the charity Scope and they said any change of address at all even without a new housing benefit claim will close the ESA claim and force you to apply for UC instead. However, what you have said sounds more accurate to me.

poppy12345

GoodGrief2019 wrote: »

Is that definitely the case? My support worker said she's now spoken to somebody at the charity Scope and they said any change of address at all even without a new housing benefit claim will close the ESA claim and force you to apply for UC instead. However, what you have said sounds more accurate to me.

That person you spoke to is incorrect, you have been advised correctly here by myself and calcotti.



If no help with rent is needed it's just a simple change of address.

Alice_Holt

poppy12345 wrote: »

That person you spoke to is incorrect, you have been advised correctly here by myself and calcotti.

If no help with rent is needed it's just a simple change of address.

Just a further confirmation that poppy and calcotti are right.

Your support worker may wish to contact Scope to make them aware incorrect info was given, as this could adversely affect others if their worker continues to give incorrect benefit advice.