Petrified, clueless, don't know where to begin??

money-reform-now

Hi, hoping I can be pointed in the right direction with the help of this forum. I am currently claiming esa support group with enhanced disability premium. I am in a local authority flat, and claim HB and Council tax relief. I lost my father, who lived in his own home, and will probably have to move there?? This house is in a neighboring local authority. Although I will no longer have a claim to housing benefit, I will need help with council tax. I have only spoken to one person about this, and they said I would be moved on to UC which has paralysed me with fear, as the reduction in money, coupled with greater costs with utilities and bills has sent me into a meltdown. As everywhere is shut down, and as I have no idea of what to do, is there anyone out there who would know where I should begin for correct advice???? Many thanks..

Spoonie_Turtle

money-reform-now said:

Hi, hoping I can be pointed in the right direction with the help of this forum. I am currently claiming esa support group with enhanced disability premium. I am in a local authority flat, and claim HB and Council tax relief. I lost my father, who lived in his own home, and will probably have to move there?? This house is in a neighboring local authority. Although I will no longer have a claim to housing benefit, I will need help with council tax. I have only spoken to one person about this, and they said I would be moved on to UC which has paralysed me with fear, as the reduction in money, coupled with greater costs with utilities and bills has sent me into a meltdown. As everywhere is shut down, and as I have no idea of what to do, is there anyone out there who would know where I should begin for correct advice???? Many thanks..

Couple of questions:
- Do you mean EDP or SDP?  A change of circumstances if you still meet the conditions for the SDP should mean you get a transitional amount on UC to make sure you don't lose money.
- What is it about UC you are worried about?  Your Support Group status should be transferred across to UC as LCWRA right from the start (though in practice it may be wise to get a Fit Note to cover you until they've manually done it).

Council Tax support is separate from UC, you claim it from your council.

poppy12345

money-reform-now said:

Hi, hoping I can be pointed in the right direction with the help of this forum. I am currently claiming esa support group with enhanced disability premium. I am in a local authority flat, and claim HB and Council tax relief. I lost my father, who lived in his own home, and will probably have to move there?? This house is in a neighboring local authority. Although I will no longer have a claim to housing benefit, I will need help with council tax. I have only spoken to one person about this, and they said I would be moved on to UC which has paralysed me with fear, as the reduction in money, coupled with greater costs with utilities and bills has sent me into a meltdown. As everywhere is shut down, and as I have no idea of what to do, is there anyone out there who would know where I should begin for correct advice???? Many thanks..

Sorry for your loss. Who ever gave you that advice is not correct. If you move and you don't need any help with the rent then you will stay on your existing ESA claim. Council tax reduction isn't part of UC and claiming this definitely doesn't mean you have to move to UC. Once you move just contact DWP and change your address and cancel your existing housing benefit claim. Then put a claim in for council tax reduction with your new local council.

Spoonie_Turtle

poppy12345 said:

money-reform-now said:

Hi, hoping I can be pointed in the right direction with the help of this forum. I am currently claiming esa support group with enhanced disability premium. I am in a local authority flat, and claim HB and Council tax relief. I lost my father, who lived in his own home, and will probably have to move there?? This house is in a neighboring local authority. Although I will no longer have a claim to housing benefit, I will need help with council tax. I have only spoken to one person about this, and they said I would be moved on to UC which has paralysed me with fear, as the reduction in money, coupled with greater costs with utilities and bills has sent me into a meltdown. As everywhere is shut down, and as I have no idea of what to do, is there anyone out there who would know where I should begin for correct advice???? Many thanks..

Sorry for your loss. Who ever gave you that advice is not correct. If you move and you don't need any help with the rent then you will stay on your existing ESA claim. Council tax reduction isn't part of UC and claiming this definitely doesn't mean you have to move to UC. Once you move just contact DWP and change your address and cancel your existing housing benefit claim.

Oh excellent point, I didn't twig that.

tacpot12

If you want advice in future, as well as asking here, you could call the Adviceline service provided by your local Citizens Advice, and if you can't find a number for them, then you can call the national Citizens Advice services on these numbers

Adviceline (England): 0800 144 8848

Advicelink (Wales): 0800 702 2020

TELLIT01

Might the OP be better off to sell the father's property and remain in the LA flat?  Obviously they would lose HB but, as they are disabled, I'm concerned whether or not they would be able to maintain a property in the longer term, or even the short term if their only income is from benefits.

jimpwarsop

TELLIT01 said:

Might the OP be better off to sell the father's property and remain in the LA flat?  Obviously they would lose HB but, as they are disabled, I'm concerned whether or not they would be able to maintain a property in the longer term, or even the short term if their only income is from benefits.

I agree, there is maintenance and buildings insurance, nightmare.

[Deleted User]

Yes, so sorry for your loss.

I live in social housing and I'm getting on a bit...with a disability. I really value the low rent and in terms of econonic recovery after covid it is important I feel for stress levels. Seems like if you were thinking about selling the property it would take a while anyway and so perhaps you would appreciate the stability of your hopefully secure tenancy especilally recently bereaved.

If your housing association is anything like mine, you may at a later date be able to purchase through the housing association right to acquire scheme. Ours have really lovely supported housing and with the recognition of more demand for social housing the new projects are always popping up on their website.

There is also something about being able to hold a certain amount of money on benefits for six months legacy benefits as long as it is there for the purpose of purchasing a property. Though I'm not sure of chapter and verse on that one, I seem to have lost the paper note I had of the source..pehraps chaps and chapesses on here might assist...

Rubyroobs

TELLIT01 said:

Might the OP be better off to sell the father's property and remain in the LA flat?  Obviously they would lose HB but, as they are disabled, I'm concerned whether or not they would be able to maintain a property in the longer term, or even the short term if their only income is from benefits.

They would also lose ESA assuming it is income related ESA.

poppy12345

paintingthetownred said:

There is also something about being able to hold a certain amount of money on benefits for six months legacy benefits as long as it is there for the purpose of purchasing a property. Though I'm not sure of chapter and verse on that one, I seem to have lost the paper note I had of the source..pehraps chaps and chapesses on here might assist...

If the OP decides to sell the property then it can be disregarded  from means tested benefits for 6 months and sometimes longer depending on the circumtances.

money-reform-now

Thank you all so much for your thoughts, your comments have given me much more than I had before. A lot to think about, and a lot to do. Thank you all very much.